Abdominal apoplexy: a case study of the spontaneous rupture of the gastroepiploic artery.

This is a case report of abdominal apoplexy (AA) or spontaneous rupture of a visceral vessel, without associated aneurysmal dilation of the vessel. Spontaneous rupture of the left gastroepiploic artery (LGEA) resulting in a hemoperitoneum is discussed. The clinical presentation of left lower quadrant abdominal pain, along with the histologic findings of medial degeneration of the LGEA, makes this case an unusual one. The incidence, origin, associated predisposing medical conditions, clinical presentation, and treatment of abdominal apoplexy are discussed.