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Medically Reviewed By:

2026-07-01

  • Condition
  • Arterial
  • Severity: Urgent

Visceral Artery Aneurysm

Also Known As: splenic artery aneurysm, hepatic artery aneurysm, mesenteric artery aneurysm, visceral arterial aneurysm
Visceral artery aneurysms are abnormal dilations of the arteries supplying the abdominal organs — most commonly the splenic artery, followed by the hepatic, superior mesenteric, celiac, and renal arteries. While rare, visceral aneurysms carry a significant risk of spontaneous rupture, which can cause life-threatening hemorrhage. Early diagnosis and elective repair dramatically improve outcomes compared with emergency repair of a ruptured aneurysm.


You have probably heard of an aortic aneurysm — a bulge in the main artery of the abdomen. Aneurysms can also form in the smaller arteries that supply your abdominal organs, and these are called visceral artery aneurysms. Most people find out about them by accident, during a scan ordered for something else entirely. They are often very manageable, but they do need specialist evaluation to determine whether and when to treat them.

Otherwise, splenic artery aneurysms are typically addressed when they measure 3 cm or greater in diameter. These aneurysms can usually be repaired with a minimally invasive endovascular procedure using coiling or covered stent graft placement.

Splenic Artery Aneurysms

Splenic artery aneurysms are the most common visceral aneurysm, accounting for approximately 60% of cases. They are more common in women than men, and are especially dangerous in women of child-bearing age. While most remain asymptomatic, rupture — though occurring in less than 5% of cases overall — carries a 25% maternal mortality and 95% fetal mortality in pregnant women, making elective repair mandatory for all women of childbearing age regardless of size.

Hepatic Artery Aneurysms

Hepatic artery aneurysms are the second most common visceral aneurysm and have historically been associated with penetrating trauma, infection, and atherosclerosis. They carry a rupture risk of approximately 20% and may present with the Quincke triad: upper abdominal pain, obstructive jaundice, and gastrointestinal bleeding. Elective repair is recommended for aneurysms larger than 2 cm.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Visceral Aneurysms in Sarasota & Bradenton

Most visceral aneurysms are discovered incidentally on abdominal CT or ultrasound. CT angiography provides definitive diagnosis and anatomical detail for repair planning. Treatment options include endovascular coil embolization — the preferred minimally invasive approach — in which the aneurysm sac is packed with coils to eliminate blood flow and prevent rupture. Covered stent-graft placement preserves the parent vessel while excluding the aneurysm. Open surgical repair is reserved for complex cases or endovascular failures.

SYMPTOMS

  • Majority are asymptomatic — discovered incidentally on abdominal imaging
  • Left upper abdominal or left shoulder pain (splenic artery aneurysm)
  • Upper abdominal pain (hepatic artery aneurysm)
  • Acute rupture: sudden severe abdominal pain, internal bleeding — surgical emergency
  • Hemobilia (blood in the bile duct) — rare sign of hepatic aneurysm

DIAGNOSIS METHODS

  • CT Angiography +

    Preferred for anatomy, size measurement, and treatment planning. Most visceral aneurysms are found incidentally on CT for other indications.

  • Duplex Ultrasound +

    Non-radiation screening for the splenic artery — used for surveillance of known small aneurysms.

  • MRI Angiography +

    Non-contrast alternative.

TREATMENTS

RELATED CONDITIONS

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • What symptoms suggest a visceral artery aneurysm? +

    Most visceral aneurysms are silent. When symptoms do occur, they include vague upper abdominal pain or fullness, a pulsating abdominal mass, or — in the case of rupture — sudden severe abdominal pain with hemodynamic instability. Any unexplained abdominal pain combined with a known or suspected aneurysm warrants urgent evaluation.

  • Do all visceral aneurysms need treatment? +

    Treatment decisions depend on the size, location, patient's age and health, and specific risk factors. All symptomatic aneurysms require treatment. Asymptomatic splenic artery aneurysms in women of childbearing age, aneurysms larger than 2 cm in any patient, and aneurysms in any size that are growing require repair.