CT and MR diagnoses of intestinal ischemia

CT and MR imaging have an important role in establishing the diagnosis of mesenteric ischemia. However, without specific signs such as thromboembolism in the mesenteric vessel, intramural or portal venous gas, and the absence of bowel wall enhancement, mesenteric ischemia can be confused with inflammatory or neoplastic gastrointestinal diseases. Arterial or venous occlusion or low-flow state are the main direct causes of mesenteric ischemia. Delayed diagnosis in equivocal cases can be avoided through an understanding of the patholophysiological aspects of mesenteric ischemia as they occur in a variety of other conditions, including: thromboembolism, bowel obstruction, neoplasm, vasculitis, inflammatory diseases, trauma, and drug or radiation therapy. Copyright (C) 2000 by W.B. Saunders Company.