Aneurysm of the inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery diagnosed by real-time ultrasound and pulsed Doppler

Aneurysms of the superior mesenteric artery are rare, being noted in only 1 of 12 000 autopsies (Lucke & Rae, 1921). Aneurysms of branch arteries are even less common. Presentation is most commonly at the time of rupture, which often results in catastrophic and usually fatal haemorrhage. The incidental finding of such aneurysms and their recognition thus assumes an importance out of proportion to their frequency. A case is presented in which an incidental finding of an asymptomatic aneurysm of the inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery was made by ultrasound and pulsed Doppler. The diagnosis and exact anatomy was confirmed by angiography. A 50-year-old woman presented to a gynaecologist complaining of vaginal bleeding and was referred for ultrasound examination of the pelvis. The patient was a normotensive non-smoker and, on direct questioning, revealed no symptoms referable to the gastrointestinal tract or upper abdomen.