Intra-abdominal Bleeding due to Segmental Arterial Mediolysis and Coexisting Pulmonary Thromboembolism: a Case Report

Abstract

Segmental arterial mediolysis (SAM) is a rare but important cause of abdominal haemorrhage and is usually treated with endovascular management. Surgical or conservative management can be performed depending on the patient’s situation. Since the course of conservative treatment is not well described in the existing literature, it must be used with caution. We describe the case of a 52-year-old man who was transferred to the emergency department because of abdominal pain, diarrhoea, and haematemesis. On arrival, he was haemodynamically unstable, with a blood pressure of 70/40 mmHg. After he was transfused and stabilised in the emergency department, contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) revealed a haematoma around the transverse colon and ascites, without any evident extravasation. The peripheral branch of the middle colic artery (MCA) showed irregular calibre, suggesting SAM. Since the patient remained stable, we initially chose conservative management. However, a CECT scan performed on the third day of hospitalisation showed coexisting pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE). Because of the need for anticoagulation therapy, we performed open surgery. The pathological examination was consistent with SAM. Anticoagulation therapy was initiated the next day. A CECT scan performed on a postoperative day (POD) 13 showed no PTE. Although the patient defecated haemorrhagic stool and experienced hematemesis on PODs 19 and 23, respectively, colonoscopy, esophagogastroduodenoscopy, and repeated CECT scans revealed no evidence of rebleeding, and no recurrence was observed. Open surgery produced a relatively good postoperative course for the patient. Endovascular management, however, remains a reasonable first approach, considering its reportedly excellent outcomes.