Can Empirical Segmental Angioembolization of Splenic Artery Salvage Pancreatic Intraluminal Bleed?

Abstract

Background Postpancreatectomy hemorrhage (PPH) and Hemosuccus Pancreaticus (HP) may present with slow but significant intraluminal bleed which may not be evident on imaging. We evaluated the efficacy of empirical segmental-angioembolization of splenic artery in intraluminal PPH and HP. Result This is a cross-sectional study done by analyzing all consecutive patients with PPH and HP who underwent empirical coil embolization of splenic artery. There were total of 137 pancreaticoduodenectomies (PD), 68 distal pancreatectomies (DP), 11 patients with median pancreatectomies (MP) and 134 admissions for acute pancreatitis and exacerbation of chronic pancreatitis during the study period. Eleven (5.1%) patients had PPH, of which two were managed surgically. Among nine patients, 4/9 (44.4%) with pseudoaneurysm on computed tomography angiography (CTA) were excluded. Among pancreatitis, 7 (5.2%) had HP, and 5/7 (71.4%) patients with pseudoaneurysm on CTA were excluded. Hence, seven patients, PPH—5 and HP—2, were included. Both HP patients were managed successfully with empirical segmental coil embolization of splenic artery. Among PPH, one patient required laparotomy for failed embolization. Overall, 6/7 (85.7%) had successful coil embolization. No reintervention, continued bleed, or blood transfusions were required postprocedure, and no splenic infarct or abscess was seen in any of the seven patients postembolization. The 72-hour rebleed rate was 1/7 (14.3%), which was managed surgically. Conclusion Empirical segmental coil embolization of splenic artery in intraluminal pancreatic bleed holds promise as a salvage life-saving procedure even when no blush or pseudoaneurysm is evident.

Spontaneous rupture of a mycotic splenic artery pseudoaneurysm secondary to histoplasmosis: a case report

“…SAPs may be detected on exam as a pulsatile mass in the upper left quadrant or epigastric region with associated left upper quadrant pain [ 3 , 4 , 28 ]. If ruptured, they can bleed into the stomach, duodenum, lesser sac, pancreatic duct (hemosuccus pancreaticus), colon, or directly into the peritoneal cavity leading to the symptoms described above [ 9 , 24 , 25 , 28 , 29 ]. In our case, the patient presented with acute onset diffuse abdominal pain associated with peritonitis, hypovolemia, and signs of impending hemorrhagic shock.…”