An Unusual Cause of Obstructive Jaundice and Acute Pancreatitis: Visceral Artery Pseudoaneurysm

Abstract

Visceral artery pseudoaneurysm (VAPA) is an uncommon vascular disorder with a tendency to present with nonspecific signs and abdominal symptoms. This case describes a patient with severe atherosclerosis who developed multiple VAPAs including a hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm bleeding into a large hematoma, which resulted in obstructive jaundice and acute pancreatitis. Prompt diagnosis of VAPA is important due to the high risk of vessel wall perforation with associated increased mortality rate. Biliary obstruction with acute pancreatitis is not a well-described presentation for VAPAs.