A Challenging Case of a Large Gastroduodenal Artery Pseudoaneurysm after Surgery of a Peptic Ulcer

We report a 48-year-old man in whom a chronic postbulbar duodenal ulcer destroyed much of the back wall of the duodenum and gastroduodenal artery causing pseudoaneurysm. The lesion was found and evaluated by contrast-enhanced computed tomography (that revealed a large pseudoaneurysm of 83 mm×75 mm in diameter) and by angiography and then treated with transcatheter embolization leading to a complete resolution of the lesion. The case is rare and important for several reasons. First, we demonstrate that pseudoaneurysm of the gastroduodenal artery caused by a duodenal ulcer can occur and present a diagnostic challenge (as far as we know, only three cases have been reported previously in the literature). Second, this case report focuses on the importance of ligation of the gastroduodenal artery when bleeding of peptic ulcers occurs. Additionally, we present an overview of the relevant literature.

Pseudoaneurysm of gastroduodenal artery due to duodenal ulcer causing jaundice and interstitial pancreatitis but not gastrointestinal bleeding

Aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms of the gastroduodenal artery are rare with less then 50 cases reported. Most frequently they are one of the consequences of pancreatitis much rarer duodenal ulcer or operative trauma during gastrectomy for duodenal ulcer or choledochotomy. We report on a 47 year-old man, chronic heavy alcohol consumer in whom a chronic postbulbar duodenal ulcer destroyed much of the back wall of the duodenum, eroded gastroduodenal artery causing pseudo-aneurysm but without noticeable gastrointestinal bleeding. The patient had jaundice of obstructive type and elevated amilase. After Billroth II gastrectomy, suture of the gastroduodenal artery, cholecystectomy and T tube drainage of the common bile duct the patient developed intestinal obstruction caused by two interintestinal abscesses so that he had to be reoperated. After that he had a successful recovery, his general health greatly improved, he gained 15 kg in weight but two years after surgery he again started with heavy drinking and soon died due to serious brain damage. The case is rare and unusual at least for few reasons: First, the pseudoaneurysm was caused by duodenal ulcer. Second, a serious gastrointestinal bleeding did not take place. Third, the pseudoaneurysm was diagnosed by Doppler ultrasonography while angiography failed to opacity it due to thrombosis of the artery.