A splenic artery aneurysm (SAA) is a localized dilation or bulging of the splenic artery, a major blood vessel supplying the spleen. SAAs are the third most common abdominal aneurysm, often asymptomatic but carrying a risk of rupture, which can be life-threatening. Vascular ultrasound is crucial for their detection and monitoring.
In medical ultrasound, SAAs appear as an anechoic or hypoechoic saccular or fusiform mass within or near the splenic hilum, often demonstrating turbulent flow on color Doppler. Regular ultrasound surveillance is vital for managing diagnosed aneurysms, particularly in high-risk patients such as pregnant women, those with portal hypertension, or liver transplant recipients, to guide timely intervention.
