Strategy for the Treatment of Spontaneous Isolated Visceral Artery Dissection

Abstract Objectives To determine the incidence of rare spontaneous isolated visceral artery dissection (SIVAD), characterize its pathogenesis, and suggest treatment strategies. Materials and Methods We reviewed abdominal contrast-enhanced computed-tomography (CE-CT) scans from January 2005 to December 2016 retrospectively in our institution, identified 47 SIVAD patients and classified them into a symptomatic (n = 22) or asymptomatic group (n = 25). Further, we classified the five types based on the CE-CT images. Patient characteristics, incidence, vascular risk factors, complications, symptoms, treatments outcomes, and morphology features on CE-CT images were analyzed. Results SIVAD was seen on 0.09% of all abdominal CE-CT scans, and 0.68% of all abdominal CT-CT scans obtained for the evaluation of acute abdominal symptoms. The asymptomatic group had significantly fewer patients with periarterial fat stranding or branch vessel involvement on CE-CT images (p  Conclusions Symptomatic SIVAD patients should be hospitalized because some of those may experience organ ischemia or aneurysm formation. Endovascular intervention is a feasible treatment for complications of SIVAD.