Visceral artery aneurysms in Von Recklinghausen's neurofibromatosis.

Abstract

We report the case of a patient with Von Recklinghausen's neurofibromatosis in whom two visceral artery aneurysms were diagnosed: a 4 cm aneurysm originating from the common hepatic artery and a smaller aneurysm originating from the superior mesenteric artery. The hepatic artery aneurysm underwent successful embolization. Because of the patient's poor general condition, the superior mesenteric aneurysm was considered inoperable and has been kept under surveillance by ultrasonography. Arterial involvement in Von Recklinghausen's neurofibromatosis is a well-known but infrequent occurrence. Stenotic lesions predominate, with the renal arteries being the site of predilection. Aneurysmal defects are less common, and involvement of the visceral arteries is exceptional. Only three reports of superior mesenteric artery aneurysm in patients with Von Recklinghausen's neurofibromatosis were found in the literature, and hepatic artery aneurysm has never previously been described in this disease.