Visceral aneurysms occur within abdominal cavity arteries, including the celiac artery, the superior mesenteric artery, the inferior mesenteric artery, the hepatic artery, the splenic artery and the renal arteries.
Causes of Visceral Aneurysms
Visceral aneurysms may be caused by:
- Atherosclerosis
- Degeneration of the artery wall
- Fibromuscular dysplasia
- Disease in connective tissues
- Trauma
Are You at Risk?
These are the risk factors for visceral aneurysms:
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- Family history of atherosclerosis
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Age and gender — fibromuscular dysplasia occurs most often in women and people ages 25-50
Symptoms of Visceral Aneurysms
In some cases, visceral aneurysms may not have any symptoms. Common symptoms include:
- Abdominal pain
- Gastrointestinal bleeding
Visceral Aneurysms: Diagnosis & Treatment
Diagnosis involves a series of tests, including angiography. Treatment options include:
Catheter-based embolization or stent-graft placement are two major treatment options. Embolization is a non-surgical, minimally invasive procedure where blood flow is cut off to the area and rerouted around the aneurysm.
Surgery may be necessary if the aneurysm is in a location which prevents adequate or safe repair by embolization or stent-graft placement. Generally, visceral aneurysms don't need repair unless they are larger than 2 cm.
Content was created using EBSCO’s Health Library. Edits to original content made by Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia. This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice.