Role of selective arteriography in the diagnosis of a ruptured middle colic artery aneurysm.

A case of a ruptured middle colic artery is reported. The diagnosis was initially overlooked and eventually made by selective arteriography. Aneurysms of visceral arteries are rare and rupture of them even more infrequent. Awareness of this potentially fatal and treatable entity should enable early detection by selective visceral arteriography. The roles of embolization and surgery in the management of visceral aneurysms are discussed.