ABSTRACT
This article describes a rare case of a traumatic splenic arteriovenous fistula (AVF) causing portal hypertension in a patient presenting with abdominal pain, diarrhea, and melena. A 78-year-old was admitted to the hospital with abdominal pain. The patient's history was notable for prior laparotomy and left nephrectomy for a gunshot wound. Workup demonstrated portal hypertension with a dilated splenic vein with aneurysmal changes and a saccular celiac artery aneurysm. Celiac angiogram demonstrated a communication between celiac and portal circulation. The patient underwent laparotomy with ligation of the splenic artery and resection of the celiac artery aneurysm. In conclusion, splenic AVFs are relatively rare in clinical practice. Once the diagnosis is established, operative intervention is required to avoid complications of portal hypertension. Surgical ligation has been used in this case with a successful outcome.
