Type:
Educational Exhibit
Keywords:
Embolism / Thrombosis, Diagnostic procedure, Contrast agent-intravenous, CT-Angiography, CT, Gastrointestinal tract, Emergency, Abdomen, Ischaemia / Infarction
Authors:
P. G. Oliveira, C. Ferreira, M. Cruz, C. Ruivo, L. Curvo Semedo, J. Ilharco, F. Caseiro Alves; Coimbra/PT
DOI:
10.1594/ecr2018/C-3096
Background
Acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) is caused by an abrupt reduction in blood flow through the mesenteric vessels,
that can threaten the viability of the bowel.
Acute bowel ischemia represents one of the most threatening abdominal conditions,
particularly in elderly patients,
with a reported mortality of 50-90%.
It may involve the bowel in a segmental or diffuse extension,
and be partial mural or transmural.
It is estimated that nearly 1% of patients presenting with acute abdomen have ischemic intestinal disease involving the small bowel or colon.
The symptoms are usually non-specific,
with a wide range of clinical and pathologic manifestations.
Patients usually present with severe nonremitting abdominal pain that is initially out of proportion to the findings at physical examination.