Ruptured aneurysm of the splenic artery: a rare cause of abdominal pain after blunt trauma.

INTRODUCTION: Splenic artery aneurysms (SAAs) are rare (0.2-10.4%); however, they are the most common form of visceral artery aneurysms. Splenic artery aneurysms are important to identify, because up to 25% of the cases are complicated by rupture. Post- rupture mortality rate is 25% -70% based on the underlying cause. Herein we present a young patient with abdominal pain after blunt abdominal trauma due to rupture of an SAA.

CASE PRESENTATION: A 27-year-old male, without a remarkable medical history, who suffered from abdominal pain for 2 days after falling was admitted to the emergency department with hypovolemic shock. Upon performing emergency laparotomy a ruptured splenic artery aneurysm was found.

CONCLUSIONS: It is important to consider rupture of a splenic artery aneurysm in patients with abdominal pain and hypovolemic shock.