Inferior mesenteric artery aneurysms.

Two patients were treated for asymptomatic aneurysms of the inferior mesenteric artery during reconstructive operation for infrarenal aortic disease. These lesions were discovered incidentally during arteriographic study in one case and during operation in the second case. Including these two patients, the number of reported inferior mesenteric artery aneurysms now totals 13. The etiology, manifestations, and treatment of the currently reported aneurysms are compared with eight previously published cases in which detailed clinical data were presented. Although the natural history of these rare aneurysms remains undefined, operative intervention appears appropriate for all mycotic lesions and certain other aneurysms, such as those in patients undergoing aortic operation.