Upper gastrointestinal bleeding due to hepatic artery aneurysm: case report and literature review

Abstract Introduction Aneurysm of the hepatic artery is most of the time a rare and asymptomatic pathology, but in case of complication it shows high morbidity and mortality requiring in many cases an urgent treatment. Presentation of case A 92-year-old male presented at the emergency department with high gastrointestinal bleeding and abdominal pain. Gastroscopy showed a submucosal lesion with active bleeding that was controlled through this approach. The study was expanded with a CT angiogram and a complicated hepatic aneurysm with duodenal fistulization was observed. Discussion After reviewing the case, surgical treatment is proposed as the first option but it is rejected by the patient. Thus, aneurysm embolization with coils and thrombin is performed, without further complications. Conclusion Selective embolization of the hepatic artery aneurysm is a therapeutic alternative in cases that implies large comorbidities, being an increasingly used technique.