Hepatic artery aneurysm rupture presenting as an upper GI bleed: A case report

Abstract

Introduction: Hepatic artery aneurysms (HAAs) are a rare but a clinically important phenomenon. The natural history of HAA is poorly understood, however, it is suggested that mortality following spontaneous rupture is as high as 40% [1]. Statistics such as these sanction an aggressive approach to the management of the HAA, whenever detected. Case Report: We present a case of a 42­year­old old male who presented with two episodes of hematemesis. He underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) twice with control of bleeding, only to rebleed, and become unstable. A computed tomography (CT) angiogram demonstrated a hepatic artery aneurysm, which appeared to involve the duodenal bulb. The patient was taken emergently to the operating room for surgical repair of the hepatic artery aneurysm. Conclusion: Hepatic artery aneurysms are a rare entity and even less common cause of gastro­intestinal bleeding.