Aneurysms may occur in any major aortic branch; such aneurysms are much less common than abdominal or thoracic aortic aneurysms. Symptoms vary depending on the location and artery affected but may include pain in areas where the aneurysm compresses nearby structures. Diagnosis is made by ultrasound, CT angiography, or MRI. Treatment is endovascular stent grafting or surgery.
(See also Overview of Aortic Aneurysms, Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms, and Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms.)
Risk factors for aneurysms of aortic branch arteries include
Cigarette smoking
Older age
Localized infection can cause mycotic aneurysms.
Subclavian artery aneurysms sometimes occur in patients with cervical ribs or thoracic outlet compression syndrome.
Aneurysms of the arteries of the splanchnic circulation are uncommon. About 60% occur in the splenic artery, 20% in the hepatic artery, 5.5% in the superior mesenteric artery (1).
Splenic artery aneurysms are more common in females than males (4:1). Causes include medial fibromuscular dysplasia, portal hypertension, multiple pregnancies, penetrating or blunt abdominal trauma, pancreatitis, and infection.
Hepatic artery aneurysms occur in more males than females (2:1). They may result from previous abdominal trauma, illicit IV drug use, medial degeneration of the arterial wall, or periarterial inflammation.
Renal artery aneurysms may dissect or rupture, causing acute occlusion.
Superior mesenteric artery aneurysms occur equally in males and females. Causes include fibromuscular dysplasia, cystic medial necrosis, and trauma.
General reference
1. Pasha SF, Gloviczki P, Stanson AW, Kamath PS. Splanchnic artery aneurysms. Mayo Clin Proc 2007;82(4):472-479. doi:10.4065/82.4.472
Symptoms and Signs of Aortic Branch Aneurysms
Many aortic branch aneurysms are asymptomatic. Symptoms (when they occur) vary depending on the location and artery affected.
Subclavian aneurysms can cause local pain, a pulsating sensation, venous thrombosis or edema (due to compression of adjacent veins), distal ischemic symptoms, transient ischemic attacks, stroke, hoarseness (due to compression of the recurrent laryngeal nerve), or impaired motor and sensory function (due to compression of the brachial plexus).
Splenic artery aneurysm may cause left upper quadrant abdominal pain.
Hepatic artery aneurysm may cause right upper quadrant pain and jaundice.
Superior mesenteric aneurysms may cause generalized abdominal pain and ischemic colitis.
Regardless of location, mycotic or inflammatory aneurysms may cause local pain and sequelae of systemic infection (eg, fever, malaise, weight loss).
Diagnosis of Aortic Branch Aneurysms
Ultrasound, CT scan, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
With the routine availability of axial diagnostic imaging, many aneurysms are diagnosed before rupture. Calcified asymptomatic or occult aneurysms may be seen on radiographs or other imaging tests done for other reasons. Ultrasound, CT angiography, or MRI is typically used to detect or confirm aortic branch aneurysms. Conventional angiography is typically reserved for treatment or to evaluate distal organ perfusion.
Treatment of Aortic Branch Aneurysms
Open repair or sometimes endovascular stent grafting
Treatment is surgical removal and replacement with a graft. Endovascular repair is an option for some patients. The decision to repair asymptomatic aneurysms is based on risk of rupture, extent and location of the aneurysm, and perioperative risk.
Surgery for subclavian artery aneurysms may involve removal of a cervical rib (if present) before repair and replacement.
For splanchnic aneurysms, risk of rupture and death is as high as 10% and is particularly high for women of childbearing age and for patients with hepatic aneurysms (> 35%) (1). Elective repair of splanchnic aneurysms is therefore indicated for
Aneurysms > 2 cm in diameter
Aneurysms in pregnant women or women of childbearing age
Symptomatic aneurysms in any age group
Hepatic aneurysms
For splenic aneurysms, repair may consist of ligation without arterial reconstruction or aneurysm exclusion and vascular reconstruction. Depending on location of the aneurysm, splenectomy may be necessary.
Treatment of mycotic aneurysms is aggressive antibiotic therapy directed at the specific pathogen. Generally, these aneurysms must also be surgically repaired.
Treatment reference
1. Garey ML, Greenberger S, Werman HA. Ruptured splenic artery aneurysm in pregnancy: a case series. Air Med J 2014;33(5):214-217. doi:10.1016/j.amj.2014.05.006
Key Points
Aortic branch aneurysms are rarer than abdominal or thoracic aortic aneurysms.
Many are incidentally discovered and often asymptomatic.
When symptoms occur, they vary depending on the location and artery affected.
Diagnosis is often first suspected based on an incidental radiograph finding, and confirmed using ultrasound and CT.
Treat with elective surgical repair and antibiotics in the case of mycotic aneurysms.
In general, indications for elective surgery are based on risk of rupture, extent and location of the aneurysm, and perioperative risk. Pregnant women or women of child-bearing age with splanchnic aneurysms and patients with hepatic aneurysms should be operated on electively because of the high risk of rupture.
