The value of sonography in the diagnosis of a dissecting aneurysm of the celiac artery

Abstract

Visceral artery aneurysm (VAA) and dissection (VAD) is an uncommon but a life-threatening clinical entity due to its potential to rupture. Celiac artery aneurysm (CAA) comprises only 4% to 6% of all VAAs, whereas isolated celiac artery dissection (CAD) is exceptionally rare. Atherosclerosis is considered the most common cause of all VAAs, including CAA. Among various imaging modalities being used to diagnose VAA, angiography is still considered the gold standard, but sonography is being used more in the basic diagnostic workup. The true incidence of CAA/CAD is still not known, but more cases are being diagnosed now because of an increasing use of advanced imaging technologies. The authors present an interesting case of CAA/CAD, secondary to rheumatoid arthritis vasculitis, with a review of the literature to evaluate the use of sonography as a valuable diagnostic tool in the basic workup of VAA.