Ruptured middle colic artery aneurysm: A rare vascular presentation in a patient with Still's disease. A systematic literature review

Background

Aneurysms of visceral abdominal arteries represent less than 3 % of all splanchnic aneurysms. Pathology is poorly understood but recent studies have focused on the role of inflammation which it can be further enhanced by a systemic inflammatory disease.

Materials and Methods

A systematic literature review was conducted to highlight the unsolved aspects of this pathology and a total of 43 patients were retrieved to whom we added 1 patient treated at our Institution.

Results

Mean age at presentation was 54 years with a peak of incidence between the 6th and the 7th decades of life. No racial, sex, and age differences were observed among the two groups (P=NS). In 10 (23 %) patients an inflammatory disease was associated. However, the risk of rupture was similar between patients affected with an inflammatory disease and those with a sporadic presentation (P=NS). Color ultrasound was seldomly used but its role is questionable especially in an emergency setting because of the well-known limitations. On the other hand, computed tomography angiogram always permitted diagnosis. Surgery is the treatment of choice to prevent emergent surgery. If feasible, an endovascular approach should be used either in elective or emergent setting. However, hemodynamically unstable patients should be promptly operated on with an open approach. There were 4 (9 %) deaths 1 before surgery, 3 during operation.

Conclusions

Although in our revision we were unable to demonstrate that patients affected with an autoimmune diseases or chronic inflammatory conditions might have a higher risk of visceral aneurysm rupture, we recommend a proactive screening approach based on regular monitor of these patients for the presence of visceral aneurysms.