Abstract

Embolization of left gastric artery pseudoaneurysm after blunt trauma

Author(s): Lavi Nissim, Conrad Diven & Aaron Braun

Traumatic pseudoaneurysms of the visceral arteries are a rare but described entity. Typically, these are associated with penetrating trauma to the torso. They may present as a diagnostic challenge, as detection on conventional CT angiography is limited in the absence of surrounding hematoma or evidence for soft tissue or visceral organ injury. Clinically, this form of injury may present in both acute and delayed fashions. Post-traumatic pseudoaneurym of the left gastric artery is a seldom-described entity, particularly when encountered after blunt trauma. Here we present a young patient who sustained extensive injury after motor vehicle accident, with hemorrhagic shock on ER admission. Pseudoaneurysm with active bleeding from the left gastric artery was promptly detected on CT and immediately treated by angiographic embolization. A discussion of the available literature follows the case report.