Acute intraabdominal hemorrhage from ruptured aneurysms of the splenic artery

Aneurysms of the splenic artery are rare and are often asymptomatic. Their precise pathogenesis and natural history are as yet incompletely understood. Rupture of a splenic artery aneurysm is unpredictable and life threatening with an overall mortality of about 25 percent. Two cases of ruptured splenic artery aneurysms are presented. In each, rupture was the initial presentation of the aneurysm and each was successfully operated upon. Rupture of a splenic artery aneurysm should be considered in all cases of acute intraabdominal hemorrhage of uncertain etiology.