Radiology, Vol 197, 79-82, Copyright © 1995 by Radiological Society of North America

ARTICLES

Diagnostic imaging of mesenteric infarction

HM Klein, R Lensing, B Klosterhalfen, C Tons and RW Gunther
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Klinikum der RWTH Aachen, Germany.

PURPOSE: To determine the value of diagnostic imaging in the management of mesenteric infarction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Within 8 years, 54 patients with mesenteric infarction underwent diagnostic imaging before surgery, including plain radiography (n = 45), ultrasound (US) (n = 29), small bowel follow-through examination (n = 7), colon enema study (n = 7), angiography (n = 16), and computed tomography (CT) (n = 22). Clinical course, laboratory values, and imaging findings were considered in diagnosis. RESULTS: Radiography and US allowed correct diagnoses in five of 18 cases (28%). Only one of 14 fluoroscopic examinations contributed to diagnosis. Fourteen of 16 angiography studies (sensitivity, 87.5%) and 18 of 22 CT examinations (82%) were correct. The difference in sensitivity between CT and angiography was not significant (P > .05). CONCLUSION: CT and angiography are highly sensitive, but CT can also be used to rule out other causes of acute abdomen. Careful evaluation of patient history and clinical situation should lead to suspicion of mesenteric ischemia and early indication for CT.

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