Causes

• A liver aneurysm sometimes occurs from a rupturing of the hepatic artery, which provides oxygen to the liver as well as to the stomach, pancreas and small intestine. This rupturing can occur from several different sources including external trauma, infection, a loss of arterial elasticity (arteriosclerosis) or inflammation of the blood vessels (vasculitis). Fortunately, ruptures of the hepatic artery are rare. When they occur, they are usually saccular (resembling balloon-like bulges in the blood vessels) and multiple.
  
  

Hemobilia

• Hemobilia is defined as bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract (known as the biliary tract). The biliary tract is the path through which bile is secreted by the liver into the small intestine. Hemobilia occurs as a direct result of a liver aneurysm, which itself is often caused by blunt force, blood vessel punctures or external trauma.
  
  

Ischemic Hepatitis

• Ischemic hepatitis is a condition that can occur from severe internal bleeding, lack of oxygen to the liver and death of liver cells. These complications are often brought on by an abnormal clotting in the vessels of the liver. Symptoms of ischemic hepatitis include nausea and vomiting as well as a distinct enlarging of the liver.
  
  

Jaundice

• Jaundice can result directly from hemobilia caused by an aneurysm of the liver. Jaundice is characterized by a distinct yellowing of the skin, mucous membranes or eyes. It occurs when red blood cells build to unsafe levels in the body and begin to die off. When red blood cells die, they release a yellow pigment known as bilirubin. The amassing of high levels of bilirubin in the body results in the discoloration of the body classified as jaundice.
  
  

Death

• Death can occur from a liver aneurysm. This usually occurs if treatment is not sought or obtained directly after an aneurysm occurs. If left untreated, blood from a ruptured artery may overflow into the bile duct, peritoneum (lining of the abdominal cavity) or other adjacent, hollow organs causing hemobilia and eventually leading to death. Treatment for aneurysms of the liver typically involves a non-invasive method of closing blood vessels (embolization) or invasive surgery.