Giant pseudoaneurysm of the splenic artery within walled of pancreatic necrosis on the grounds of chronic pancreatitis

Chronic pancreatitis is a long-standing inflammation of the pancreas,characterized by progressive inflammatory and fibrotic changes,resulting in permanent structural damage of pancreatic parenchyma[1].Pancreatitis(chronic or acute)is the primary risk factor for pseudo-splenic artery aneurysms,along with pancreatic pseudocysts and trauma.As the disease progresses,patients with chronic pancreatitis may develop complications due to exocrine and endocrine pancreatic functional loss,such as fat malabsorption with steatorrhea,glucose intolerance,and ultimately diabetes mellitus[1,2].Furthermore,severe pancreatic inflammation can cause weakening of vessel walls,with subsequent formation of arterial pseudoaneurysms.Splenic artery is the most commonly affected visceral artery[2,3].Liver cirrhosis,portal hypertension,liver transplantation,atherosclerosis,hypertension,pregnancy and multiparity are main risk factors for true splenic artery aneurysms[2].Rupture and intraperitoneal bleeding is the cause of death in 30%−50%of patients.Thus,prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment are of great clinical importance[4,5].Herein,we present a case of a giant splenic artery pseudoaneurysm within a walled of necrosis involving pancreatic parenchyma,as a complication of long standing chronic pancreatitis.