Splenic arteriovenous fistula (SAVF) is an unusual cause of portal hypertension, and is rarely associated with an infective aetiology. It is often difficult to identify SAVF clinically, and thus, radiological modalities are invariably required for diagnosis and treatment. We herein describe a case of SAVF occurring in a patient with compensated cirrhosis as a sequel to salmonella gastroenteritis, and presenting with acute gastric variceal bleeding. Selective transcatheter embolisation of the splenic artery was effective in controlling bleeding.
Adult ; Angiography ; Arteriovenous Fistula ; diagnostic imaging ; microbiology ; therapy ; Colonoscopy ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; methods ; Esophageal and Gastric Varices ; etiology ; Gastroenteritis ; microbiology ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage ; etiology ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; microbiology ; Male ; Salmonella Infections ; microbiology ; Splenic Artery ; abnormalities ; diagnostic imaging ; Splenic Vein ; abnormalities ; diagnostic imaging ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Lower gastrointestinal haemorrhage due to enteric fever is uncommon and potentially fatal. The majority of patients recover with conservative treatment, with surgery reserved for life-threatening bleeding. Given the advances in radiologically guided procedures, there have been numerous reports of successful embolisation for gastrointestinal haemorrhage, although few of these involved enteric fever as the causative agent. We report an uncommon case of haemorrhagic enteric fever treated successfully with embolisation using polyvinyl alcohol particles and coils.
Adult ; Angiography ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; instrumentation ; methods ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage ; therapy ; Humans ; Polyvinyl Alcohol ; chemistry ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Treatment Outcome ; Typhoid Fever ; therapy

A 52-year-old man, who had a background of chronic heart disease and atrial fibrillation, as well as non-compliance with warfarin therapy, presented with a two-week history of worsening upper abdominal pain. Computed tomography mesenteric angiography showed complete embolic occlusion of the coeliac artery with resultant segmental splenic infarction, and thrombus within the left ventricle. A decision was made to proceed with catheter-directed thrombolysis. Subsequent follow-up angiogram at 12 hours showed successful treatment with complete dissolution of the coeliac embolus. The patient's symptoms resolved during his hospitalisation and he was subsequently discharged well on long-term oral anticoagulation therapy. Isolated acute embolic occlusion of the coeliac axis is a rare occurrence that may result in end-organ infarction. Treatment options include systemic anti-coagulation, mechanical thrombectomy, catheter thrombolysis or open surgery. Catheter-directed thrombolysis therapy is a feasible and effective option for treating acute thromboembolic occlusion of the coeliac artery.