Acute upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage from a pseudoaneurysm of an unusual superior polar artery of the spleen

Splenic artery (SA) aneurysm and pseudoaneurysm are rare pathologies and uncommon causes of massive upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. They represent the third most common intra-abdominal aneurysms. Variations in the origin of SA are relatively common and asymptomatic. However, the presence of an accessory SA that is symptomatic is quite atypical. In this report, we describe the case of a 73-year-old female who presented with massive upper GI bleeding caused by a pseudoaneurysm of a superior polar artery with an unusual anatomic origin. The patient was successfully treated endovascularly with transarterial coil embolization. Early diagnosis and interventional management are crucial for patient's survival; hence, it must be kept in mind as possible etiology of life-threatening GI bleeding to reduce morbidity and mortality.