Transarterial Embolization to Treat Atraumatic Splenic Rupture from Pancreatic Pseudocyst

Pancreatic pseudocyst is a common complication of patients with chronic pancreatitis. However, splenic involvement related to pancreatic pseudocyst is rarely documented despite its anatomic relationships. Our case was a 45-year-old male with past history of acute pancreatitis due to alcoholism. He suffered from intensive epigastric pain. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) revealed a pancreatic pseudocyst with ruptured spleen and hemoperitoneum. The patient underwent angiography subsequently and was successfully treated with transarterial embolization. Atraumatic splenic rupture due to pancreatic pseudocyst in the setting of chronic pancreatitis is a rare but lethal complication. Interventional radiology has become an alternative therapeutic tool in patients with such complications.