A Case of Isolated Celiac Artery Dissection Accompanied by Splenic Infarction Detected by Ultrasonography in the Emergency Department

A 46-year-old male with a history of hypertension visited the emergency department (ED) by ambulance complaining of sudden pain in the left side of his back. Ultrasonography (USG) performed at ED revealed splenic infarction along with occlusion and dissection of the celiac and splenic arteries without abdominal artery dissection. Contrast enhanced computed tomography (CT) revealed the same result. Consequently, spontaneous isolated celiac artery dissection (SICAD) was diagnosed. Because his blood pressure was high (159/70 mmHg), antihypertensive medicine was administered (nicardipine and carvedilol). After his blood reached optimal levels (130/80 mmHg), symptoms disappeared. Follow-up USG and contrast enhanced CT performed 8 days and 4 months after onset revealed amelioration of splenic infarction and improvement of the narrowed artery. Here, we report a case of SICAD with splenic infarction presenting with severe left-sided back pain and discuss the relevance of USG in an emergency setting.