Interventional treatment of peripancreatic aneurysms: can one strategy fit all?

Abstract

Purpose: To identify the frequency and association of visceral arterial (VA) stenosis in peripancreatic aneurysms (PPAs) and to develop a uniform, more detailed treatment strategy for PPAs in case of accompanying VA stenosis, as current guidelines do not adequately address this constellation.

Materials and methods: Patients with PPAs diagnosed at a tertiary care hospital were retrospectively analyzed. In case of multiple PPAs, the aneurysm with the highest aneurysm-to-vessel ratio (AVR) within the celiac-mesenteric collateral circulation was classified as the primary aneurysm and categorized as "critical" or "non-critical" based on the risk of organ ischemia. Celiac artery and superior mesenteric artery stenoses were graded as low (< 50%), high (> 50%), or total occlusion. Treatment strategies were based on VA stenosis severity, aneurysm classification, and morphology. Treatment strategies included endovascular, surgical and watch-and-wait management.

Results: Thirty-one patients with PPAs were included with a total of 53 aneurysms; mean aneurysm size: 12.5 ± 7.9 mm (range 5-38 mm), AVR: 3.5 ± 2.1 (range 1-11.3). The superior and inferior pancreaticoduodenal arteries as well as the pancreaticoduodenal arcade were affected in most cases (67.9%). AVR was significantly higher in cases of aneurysm rupture (6.2 ± 2.8; p = 0.031). Celiac artery stenosis was present in 87.1%. Aneurysm size and occurrence of active bleeding did not correlate (p = 0.925). 11 patients presented with critical aneurysms, with 10 patients requiring individually tailored treatment. Non-critical aneurysms were treated with coil embolization in most cases.

Conclusion: CA stenosis, aneurysm position, and AVR significantly influence treatment decisions. Individualized approaches based on anatomical and hemodynamic factors are needed in PPA treatment.