Gastroduodenal artery aneurysm – A rare complication of traumatic pancreatic injury

Abstract

Aneurysm of gastroduodenal artery (GDA) is rare. Most reported cases are due to pancreatitis and atherosclerosis; however, those following pancreatic trauma have not been reported. We encountered GDA aneurysm in a patient of blunt abdominal trauma, who had pancreatic contusion and retroduodenal air on contrast enhanced computed tomography of abdomen. Emergency laparotomy for suspected duodenal injury revealed duodenal wall and pancreatic head contusion, mild hemoperitoneum and no evidence of duodenal perforation. In the postoperative period, the patient developed upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage on day 5. Repeat imaging revealed GDA aneurysm, which was managed successfully by angioembolization. This case highlights, one, delayed presentation of GDA aneurysm after blunt pancreatic trauma and two, its successful management using endovascular technique.

Keywords

• Aneurysm of gastroduodenal artery
• Pancreatic injury
• Angioembolization