spontaneous Thrombosis of a Large superior Mesenteric artery pseudoaneurysm : report of an unusual case

Reprint requests to: Dr. Wei-Chou Chang Department of Radiology, Tri-Service General Hospital. No. 325, Sec. 2, Cheng-Kung Road, Taipei, 114, Taiwan, R.O.C. Here we report an unusual case of a large pseudoaneurysm of the superior mesenteric artery, in which the pathogenesis was related to recurrent pancreatitis. The pseudoaneurysm spontaneously thrombosed without any surgery or endovascular embolization. To our knowledge, spontaneous thrombosis of superior mesenteric artery pseudoaneurysms is extremely rare. The ultrasound and multidetector CT images of the pseudoaneurysm are presented. In this report, we discuss the causality and pathophysiology of this self-cured thrombosed pseudoaneurysm. Pseudoaneurysm of the superior mesenteric artery is a severe complication of acute pancreatitis [1]. Bleeding from pseudoaneurysm may be lifethreatening [2]. Transcatheter arterial embolization and surgical ligation are reported to be the treatment of choice for this condition [3]. Here we describe a patient in whom a pseudoaneurysm of the superior mesenteric artery thrombosed spontaneously. The mechanism and causality of this self-cured complication is discussed.