# Gastroduodenal artery aneurysm - an extremely rare but insidious cause of abdominal pain: a case report

## TL;DR

A rare case of gastroduodenal artery aneurysm causing abdominal pain is reported, highlighting the need for early diagnosis and multidisciplinary treatment.

## Contribution

This case report highlights the rare association between gastroduodenal artery aneurysm and Polyarteritis Nodosa.

## Key findings

- A 80-year-old woman with chronic epigastric pain was diagnosed with a gastroduodenal artery aneurysm.
- Endovascular coil embolization was performed, followed by treatment for Polyarteritis Nodosa with rituximab.
- The case emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis and intervention for potentially life-threatening aneurysms.

## Abstract

An arterial aneurysm is a localized weakening of the artery wall that results in pathological dilatation. All intra-abdominal artery aneurysms are labeled as visceral artery aneurysms (VAA), apart from the aorto-iliac artery aneurysms. VAA´s are rare, gastroduodenal artery aneurysms (GDAA), constituting 1.5% of visceral artery aneurysms. A woman in her early 80s´ presented with chronic epigastric pain, weight loss, and nausea. Conservative management was unsuccessful. Imaging revealed a GDAA, prompting endovascular coil embolization. Subsequent evaluation confirmed Polyarteritis Nodosa (PAN), treated with rituximab. The report underscores the diagnostic challenges, emphasizing the need for a multidisciplinary approach using imaging and angiography. GDAA's potential life-threatening rupture necessitates prompt intervention, as illustrated in this case. The rare association with PAN, although infrequent, underscores the importance of considering underlying etiologies in multiple visceral aneurysms. Early diagnosis and intervention are pivotal for this uncommon yet potentially lethal condition.