Giant Splenic Aneurysm with Arteriovenous (A-V) Shunt, Portal Hypertension, and Ascites.

BACKGROUND Splenic aneurysms are rare, asymptomatic, and usually derive from previous surgical interventions. Endovascular repair is the best option, but when A-V shunt is present, open repair might be more suitable. CASE REPORT A 43-year-old man presented to the Internal Medicine Department of AHEPA University Hospital with symptoms of fever and ascites. He was an ex-medical student with a history of sickle cell anemia, who had undergone urgent splenectomy and cholecystectomy 26 years ago and had a transit ischemic attack at the age of 21 years. Diagnostic imaging control revealed a giant splenic aneurysm 9.8 cm in diameter and 5 cm in length, with a concomitant A-V shunt (due to common ligation of the vessels after splenectomy and long stump presence with concomitant erosion of arterial wall). The patient underwent open surgery and cross-clamping the orifice of the splenic artery, also including the splenic vein, and the vessels were ligated. Post-operatively, the patient remained in the Intensive Care Unit for 48 h and suffered a portal vein thrombosis treated with appropriate anticoagulants. One month later, he had acute hemorrhagic pancreatitis and paralytic ileus and underwent laparotomy performed by general surgeons. CONCLUSIONS Giant splenic aneurysms are rare and are usually caused by previous splenectomy and preservation of a long-vessel stump. Immediate surgical repair is mandatory because of the high risk of rupture.