Significance of transcatheter arterial embolization in the treatment of pseudoaneurysm complicating pancreatitis

To evaluate the significance of transcatheter arterial embolization(TAE) of pseudoaneurysm complicating pancreatitis. This study was based on a retrospective analysis of eight cases, in which TAE for control of pseudoaneurysm complicating pancreatitis was attempted. All patients were males, and were aged between 35 and 65(mean, 47) years. Seven had a history of episodes of chronic pancreatitis and one case was the result of acute pancreatitis. All patients underwent diagnostic angiography and superselective embolization. Arteries in which pseudoaneurysm had occurred were the gastroduodenal (n=3D5), inferior pancreaticoduodenal (n=3D1), superior mesenteric artery root (n=3D1), and the celiac axis (n=3D1). Six cases were treated successfully without complications, but in two, embolization failed due to a wide aneurysmal neck arising from the superior mesenteric artery root and celiac axis. In four successful cases, pseudoaneurysms were completely resolved within three to six months of embolization. One of the other two remained as a pseudocyst, while in the other, also a pseudocyst, surgery was performed. Because TAE in patients with pseudoaneurysm complicating pancreatitis has a high success rate, and also leads to absolute resorption of a pseudocyst, TAE is the preferred pre-surgical treatment mode.=20