Key result
Prompt surgery prevents high mortality from spontaneous splenic artery aneurysm rupture in pregnancy.
Why the study?
Spontaneous splenic artery aneurysm rupture in pregnancy carries high maternal and foetal mortality, presenting diagnostic challenges as a rare vascular cause of acute abdominal pain and haemorrhagic shock.
Splenic artery aneurysm rupture is a rare but life-threatening vascular pathology that must be considered in pregnant patients presenting with acute abdominal pain and haemorrhagic shock.
Requires consideration in differentials for acute abdominal pain and haemorrhagic shock in pregnancy; extends limited reports on this rare, high-mortality vascular emergency.
This case describes a 36 +6 weeks pregnant patient who presented with abdominal pain and rapidly developed haemorrhagic shock. Emergency laparotomy revealed a ruptured splenic artery aneurysm (SAA), requiring splenectomy. Her postoperative course was complicated by pulmonary embolism and acute kidney injury requiring long-term dialysis. While uterine rupture and placental abruption are common obstetric considerations in acute abdominal pain during pregnancy, this case highlights the importance of considering vascular pathologies such as SAA rupture, which carries high maternal and foetal mortality. Early recognition, prompt surgical intervention and multidisciplinary management are essential for improving outcomes in this rare but life-threatening condition. We aim to present a case of spontaneous rupture of SAA in pregnancy to raise awareness of this condition and emphasise the need for timely diagnosis, active resuscitation and management, including intensive treatment unit care and consideration of potential complications.
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Tjhin et al. (2026) studied this question. Spontaneous splenic artery aneurysm rupture in pregnancy presents as acute abdominal pain and haemorrhagic shock, requiring prompt surgical intervention to prevent high mortality.
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