Open treatment of superior mesenteric artery pseudoaneurysm due to infective endocarditis

Abstract

In this work, we describe the case of a 63-year-old man, with a history of infective endocarditis, who presented with abdominal pain, significant weight loss, and recurrent diarrheal episodes over the preceding months. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography angiography demonstrated a large pseudoaneurysm of the superior mesenteric artery, located in the mid-segment of the vessel, with poor opacification of the distal branches. The patient underwent surgical management via midline laparotomy. This case report aims to highlight the role of open surgical repair in the management of visceral artery pseudoaneurysms, as this approach allows preservation of major collateral branches and enables thorough histopathological examination to assess the underlying etiology of the lesion.