Which department should you visit for a splenic artery aneurysm?

Splenic artery aneurysms can be evaluated and treated in departments such as vascular surgery, general surgery, hepatobiliary surgery, interventional radiology, or emergency medicine, depending on the size of the aneurysm, symptoms, and urgency. If sudden abdominal pain, hematemesis, or other signs indicating rupture occur, immediate evaluation in the emergency department is necessary.

1. Vascular Surgery: Specializes in diagnosis and treatment of vascular diseases. This department can use imaging studies to assess the location, size, and blood flow of the aneurysm, and develop surgical or interventional treatment plans. It is suitable for all types of splenic artery aneurysm patients, particularly skilled in managing complex vascular lesions.

2. General Surgery: Capable of diagnosing and treating common splenic artery aneurysms. By combining physical examination with ultrasound, CT, and other imaging, the condition can be accurately determined. For cases requiring spleen involvement, traditional surgical treatments can be performed, balancing aneurysm removal with preservation of splenic function.

3. Hepatobiliary Surgery: Due to the anatomical proximity of the spleen to the liver and biliary system, some splenic artery aneurysms may involve the hepatobiliary region. This specialty can simultaneously evaluate liver and biliary function, avoiding damage to surrounding hepatobiliary tissues during treatment and ensuring safety throughout diagnosis and management.

4. Interventional Radiology: Expert in minimally invasive interventional therapies, such as endovascular embolization or stent placement, to treat splenic artery aneurysms. These approaches offer less trauma and faster recovery, making them ideal for patients with poor baseline health or those unwilling to undergo open surgery, effectively reducing the risk of rupture.

5. Emergency Medicine: Appropriate for urgent situations involving acute rupture or imminent rupture of a splenic artery aneurysm. The emergency department can rapidly initiate life-saving protocols, stabilize the patient through urgent diagnostics and symptomatic management, and buy critical time for definitive specialty care, preventing life-threatening complications.

Daily care should include avoiding strenuous exercise and abdominal trauma, maintaining blood pressure within normal ranges, following a light and low-fat diet, undergoing regular follow-up imaging to monitor aneurysm changes, seeking prompt medical attention for symptoms such as abdominal pain or bloating, and refraining from self-administering medications that may affect vascular health.