Can a blood vessel in the stomach burst? (Visceral Artery Aneurysm)

Do you sometimes feel stomach pain or back pain? We often think of it as something as simple as gastritis. But sometimes, behind such a small symptom, there may be a serious health problem that we don't think about. Today we are going to talk about such a silent, life-threatening, but not very talked about disease. That is Visceral Artery Aneurysm.

Simply put, what is this Visceral Artery Aneurysm?

Okay, let's understand this simply. Imagine that there are some major blood vessels (arteries) inside our body that supply blood to the most important organs like the liver, kidneys, intestines, pancreas, spleen, and stomach. These are what we call Visceral Arteries.

An aneurysm is when the wall of a blood vessel becomes weak for some reason and bulges out like a balloon.

Now imagine, this vein, swollen and swollen like this, can suddenly burst (rupture). If that happens, excessive bleeding will start inside the body. We call this condition `(Hemorrhage)`. This is a very dangerous, life-threatening emergency.

Most often, these aneurysms form in the arteries that supply blood to the spleen, kidneys, and liver.

Are there types of these aneurysms?

Yes, there are two main types. It is important to understand the difference between the two.

Can we see this situation as common in society?

Visceral Artery Aneurysms are actually a very rare condition. But because most people don't show any symptoms, it's hard to say exactly how many people actually have them.

But surprisingly, some types differ by gender. For example, aneurysms in the artery that supplies blood to the spleen are more common in women.

What are the symptoms of this?

This is where the most dangerous thing is. Often there are no symptoms. Most of the time, these are discovered incidentally. That is, doctors only see this when they do something like a CT scan or MRI scan of the abdomen for some other illness.

However, if an aneurysm ruptures, symptoms may occur. The main symptoms are:

• Anemia: This means a decrease in blood volume in the body. This can occur due to excessive bleeding into the body.
• Stomach or back pain: This pain can range from mild to severe, so it can sometimes be difficult to pinpoint exactly what is causing it.
• Vomiting blood.
• Blood in the stool.

Why do these types of aneurysms form? What are the causes?

The causes also vary depending on the two types of aneurysms we discussed earlier.

How does a doctor find this?

After listening to your symptoms and examining you, if your doctor suspects this condition, he or she may refer you for the following tests.

• CT scan and MRI scan: These are the main diagnostic methods. These images can show the exact location and size of the aneurysm. This is very important for deciding on treatment.

• Angiography: This is a special test. The doctor inserts a thin tube (catheter) into one of your veins (usually in your groin). The tube is then advanced to the affected blood vessel and a special liquid (contrast dye) is injected. The liquid is then used to take X-ray or CT images to see if there is any abnormality in the blood vessel, such as an aneurysm. Sometimes, treatment can be given at the same time as the test.

How is it treated?

The treatment method depends on factors such as the type, size, location of the aneurysm, and your overall health.

1. Watchful Waiting

Sometimes, especially if it's a true aneurysm smaller than 2 centimeters , your doctor will not treat you, but will scan you at regular intervals to see if it's getting bigger. They may also prescribe medication to control your blood pressure.

2. Cases where treatment is necessary

In some cases, it's best to treat the nodules, regardless of size, because they have a high risk of bursting.

• A pseudoaneurysm of any size requires treatment.
• For true aneurysms larger than 2 centimeters .
• If you are pregnant or planning to have children.
• If symptoms such as anemia and stomach pain persist.
• If you are about to undergo surgery such as a liver transplant.
• If aneurysms have formed in some high-risk arteries (e.g., arteries supplying blood to the stomach or pancreas), they are treated regardless of size.

3. Main treatment methods

There are two main treatment methods.

• Open Surgery: In this procedure, the surgeon makes a slightly larger incision in the abdomen and goes directly to the damaged blood vessel. The damaged part is then removed and repaired or replaced with something like an artificial tube.

• Minimally Invasive Endovascular Procedures: This does not involve making a large incision. As mentioned earlier, a thin tube (catheter) is inserted through a vein in the groin and guided to the location of the aneurysm. The tube is then passed through and 'sealed' using various methods.
• Coil Embolization: Small metal coils or something like a plug are inserted into the aneurysm to fill it and stop the bleeding.
• Liquid Embolization: A special glue, like a gel, is injected into the aneurysm and 'sealed' it.
• Stenting: A metal mesh-like tube covered with a cloth is placed inside the blood vessel to strengthen the weakened wall.

Endovascular treatment can help you recover faster and reduce your hospital stay than open surgery. However, sometimes a second treatment may be needed. Your doctor will choose the method that is best for you.

What are the final results of this situation?

We need to understand that this is a serious condition. If left untreated, the aneurysm can rupture and even cause death. According to data, about 25% of people who are admitted to the hospital suddenly have a ruptured aneurysm. About 10% of them die. The risk of death is especially high if the aneurysm ruptures in pregnant women.

Can't this be prevented from happening?

It is difficult to prevent aneurysms that develop due to certain genetic factors or connective tissue diseases. However, we can reduce the risk of aneurysms caused by atherosclerosis (fatty deposits in the blood vessels). There are several things you can do to do this:

• Keep your cholesterol and blood pressure well controlled.
• Exercise regularly.
• Adopt a heart-healthy diet (reduce oil, salt, and sugar).
• Get enough sleep .
• Limit alcohol consumption .
• Control stress .
• Stop smoking and tobacco use completely.

If you need more advice on this, talk to your family doctor.