Celiac Artery Aneurysm: Anyone else with same illness?

I was diagnosed with this in 2016. My doctor’s notes suggest:

Better redemonstration and confirmation of 2.1 cm fusiform aneurysmal dilatation of the celiac artery. Associated occlusive dissection with thrombus formation likely within the false lumen involving the celiac artery, proximal common hepatic artery, and origin splenic artery. Etiology of this is unclear. This can be seen in association with underlying vasculitis. No other findings to suggest vasculitis as far as visualized.

I presented with similar symptoms, severe pain in low back with nausea. From onsite of initial pain (while sitting in my barber’s chair hoping he would finish quick because I needed to vomit) until the time I ended up in the ER was 90 minutes. Was on a Friday night. ER doctor sent me home, couldn’t find any reason for the pain. I suffered thought the Memorial Day week and was first in line to see my primary care doctor on Tuesday. He immediately sent me to a general surgeon who admitted me to the hospital (same one I had gone to on the Friday).

I was lucky that the general surgeon was a very experienced doctor with 40+ years of medical practice. He had seen this before and knew what to test and sent me to the vascular surgeon who explained to me “it is like you have wallpaper in the walls of your arteries. For some reason, the wallpaper is peeling from the top and blood is getting behind the wallpaper causing the issue”. Great explanation. The pain was explained as my spleen dying from lack of blood flow. Don’t know if that is a common symptom.

Was in hospital for four days, started on blood thinners (stayed on for 6 months) and re-scanned with no issues. Follow up visit in 2019, no issues.

If I can be of help to anyone here, please let me know.

My celiac artery aneurysm is on a wait and see. They will revisit in two years. This makes me nervous to be honest. It’s always in the back of your mind. I have been told the only symptoms of change are extreme pain. And that could be too late. So it is nerve wracking. Those of you who have had it fixed. I hope that worry is now gone for you. Blessings to all of us with this rare condition.

Thank you. Is stress an issue? I work with children. Many with extreme behavior issues which are often out if anyone else’s control, including administration. Schools are a toxic environment these days with no governmental support in the national, state and county levels.

With all aneurysms keeping Blood pressure down is supposed to be good for not enlarging the problem area

Hello @saschlief,

I'm sorry to hear about your dad's diagnosis, but so glad that you came to Connect to seek some information from Jen, @jurney01.

As @hopeful33250 mentioned earlier, celiac artery aneurysm is indeed rare, but I would encourage you to read this article about some research done at Mayo Clinic which shows that endovascular repair could be effective in treating aneurysms involving branches of the celiac and superior mesenteric arteries: http://mayocl.in/1OS5tAf

saschlief, I'd also like to introduce you to a few members who have talked about living with abdominal aortic aneurysm. @janetpomponio, @kdh1, @playsdixie, @elsinann, @lynnkay1956, @ssams, @jessicalatessa, do you have any insight for @saschlief that would help her father?

@saschlief, could you give us a few more details? What symptoms did your dad have that led to this diagnosis? How is his doctor monitoring the aneurysm to make sure it does not get too enlarged?

I know this is an old thread but my husband has this problem which was found/ noted in his x-ray report when he was having another bout with kidney stones in 2010. It was 1.4 cm then. I haven't checked the other times he has had this same problem - kidney stones in the last 10 years but the x-ray for the ones they found last month (Dec 2019) again showed the same celiac artery aneurysm only it is now 1.9 cm. After pointing this out to his urologist I was told it had to go back to his "main" doctor for referral. Went back to that doctor only to be referred to a gastroenterologist!. I'm trying to see what type of specialists/doctors anyone else was sent to. I have a gastroenterologist but I have mild celiac along with other issues that a gastro guy handles. Never heard of one of them handling this type of health problem. I thought the referral should be to a vascular specialist. Can you or anyone else give me the specialties your doctors were in?

I know this is an old thread but my husband has this problem which was found/ noted in his x-ray report when he was having another bout with kidney stones in 2010. It was 1.4 cm then. I haven't checked the other times he has had this same problem - kidney stones in the last 10 years but the x-ray for the ones they found last month (Dec 2019) again showed the same celiac artery aneurysm only it is now 1.9 cm. After pointing this out to his urologist I was told it had to go back to his "main" doctor for referral. Went back to that doctor only to be referred to a gastroenterologist!. I'm trying to see what type of specialists/doctors anyone else was sent to. I have a gastroenterologist but I have mild celiac along with other issues that a gastro guy handles. Never heard of one of them handling this type of health problem. I thought the referral should be to a vascular specialist. Can you or anyone else give me the specialties your doctors were in?