A splenic artery aneurysm is the most common visceral aneurysm. Its feared complication is rupture, which causes "abdominal apoplexy," or spontaneous hemoperitoneum. Its cause is often idiopathic, but portal hypertension, fibrodysplasia, and pregnancy predispose a patient to splenic artery aneurysm. Rupture often occurs during the third trimester of pregnancy and is life-threatening. Women are 4 times more likely than men to have a splenic artery aneurysm.

Splenic artery aneurysm is treated if symptomatic or if the patient is pregnant. Aneurysms can typically be resected or ligated, but rarely splenectomy is required.