Splenic artery aneurysm rupture in late pregnancy: a case report and review of the literature

• Published in: Annales françaises d'anesthésie et de réanimation Vol. 30; no. 2; pp. 156 - 158
• Main Authors: Rahmoune, F C, Aya, G, Biard, M, Belkhayat, G, Hamza, J, Leperc, J, Ouchtati, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: French
• Published: France 01.02.2011
• Subjects: Adult; Aneurysm, Ruptured - surgery; Cesarean Section; Female; Fetal Distress - diagnosis; Fetal Distress - surgery; Heart Rate, Fetal - physiology; Hemodynamics; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Laparotomy; Liver Diseases - diagnosis; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular - surgery; Pregnancy Outcome; Splenic Artery - surgery; Uterine Contraction
• ISSN: 1769-6623
• DOI: 10.1016/j.annfar.2010.11.024

Haemorrhages during pregnancy may have a non-obstetrical origin, the pregnancy itself favoring some specific aetiologies because of pregnancy-related physiological modifications. These non-obstetrical haemorrhages are rare but are associated with a high maternal and foetal mortality. The prognosis depends on an early diagnosis and a multidisciplinary approach. We report the case of a patient who had a caesarean section for suspicion of acute foetal distress during which was found a large intraperitoneal bleeding due to rupture of an unknown splenic artery aneurysm. We discuss the principal causes of non-obstetrical intra-abdominal bleeding, including subcapsular liver haematoma, rupture of uterine vessels and rupture of splenic artery aneurysm, with a specific focus on this last aetiology.