Segmental arterial mediolysis mimics systemic vasculitis

Abstract

Segmental arterial mediolysis (SAM) is a rare, nonarteriosclerotic, noninflammatory vascular disease and mostly affects medium-to-large sized abdominal arteries as well as presents with hemorrhages in the abdominal cavity. We report the case of a patient with SAM of the celiac, right renal, jejunal branch of the superior mesenteric, left gastric, and splenic arteries who was diagnosed by excluding other causes and in whom transcatheter embolization was performed in two different sessions, but he died because of an undefined reason. SAM mimics systemic vasculitis and causes abdominal pain; it should be considered because abdominal hemorrhage or arterial infarction can result in death.