Experience with the management of mesenteric aneurysms

Mesenteric artery aneurysms represent a rare but very interesting clinical entity. Despite their rarity they comprise a challenging vascular problem as regards diagnosis and treatment. We have managed six mesenteric anuerysms, four involving the SMA and the other two involving the IMA. There were five males and one female patient. The presentation included acute abdominal pain in four cases, haematemesis in one case and abdominal mass in the remaining aneurysm. Surgical treatment was carried out in all six including ligation of the two IMA aneurysms, as well as two SMA aneurysms. Reconstruction was performed in the remaining two SMA aneurysms. Surprisingly, no complications [apart from ARDS in one patient] were recorded in all six cases