Splenic artery embolization in a woman with bleeding gastric varices and splenic vein thrombosis

INTRODUCTION: Gastric variceal bleeding due to splenic vein thrombosis is a life-threatening situation and is often difficult to manage by endoscopy. In the worst cases, an emergency splenectomy may be required to stop variceal bleeding.

CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 60-year-old Caucasian woman with bleeding gastric varices secondary to splenic vein thrombosis treated by splenic artery embolization. Successful embolization was performed by depositing coils into the splenic artery resulting in cessation of variceal bleeding. After embolization there was no recurrence of bleeding.

CONCLUSION: Splenic artery embolization can be an effective and definite treatment for variceal bleeding secondary to splenic vein thrombosis.