Open AccessChronic splenic artery occlusion with gastric wall arterial ectasia, an unusual cause of massive upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage
Author(s) -
Hassan AlBalas,
Zeyad Metwalli,
David M. Sada
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
bjr case reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2055-7159
DOI - 10.1259/bjrcr.20200194
Subject(s) - medicine , splenic artery , splenectomy , upper gastrointestinal bleeding , surgery , ectasia , thrombosis , left gastric artery , gastroduodenal artery , artery , arterial embolization , radiology , embolization , endoscopy , spleen
Life-threatening upper gastrointestinal (GI) hemorrhage can occur as a result of bleeding from a variety of arterial and venous sources. We present an unusual cause of life-threatening upper GI hemorrhage arising from ectatic gastric wall arterial branches in a 49-year-old male with previously unrecognized chronic splenic artery thrombosis. The patient developed a recurrence of bleeding despite coil embolization of an accessory left gastric artery branch supplying the gastric fundus suspected to be the site of active bleeding. The patient subsequently underwent splenectomy and surgical ligation of a bleeding gastric artery branch. This case emphasizes the importance of recognizing this unusual cause of upper GI hemorrhage for proper management and prevention of recurrence. Informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of the case report including accompanying images.