Ischemia

Three major vessels serve the abdominal contents: the celiac trunk, the superior mesenteric artery (SMA), and the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA). The celiac trunk supplies the esophagus, stomach, proximal duodenum, liver, gallbladder,...

Photographic Sequence

Symptoms and Signs The early hallmark of mesenteric ischemia is severe pain but minimal physical findings. The abdomen remains soft, with little or no tenderness. Mild tachycardia may be present. Later, as necrosis develops,...

Diagnosis Clinical diagnosis more important than diagnostic tests Mesenteric angiography if diagnosis unclear. Frequency: Mesenteric ischemia accounts for 0.1% of all hospital admissions. Risk factors for this disease include...

Patients with mesenteric ischemia have a very typical presentation. However, the diagnosis may be overlooked because of the vague nature of the patients' symptoms. Depending on the type of mesenteric ischemia, patients may present...

Prognosis If diagnosis and treatment take place before infarction occurs, mortality is low; after intestinal infarction, mortality approaches 70 to 90%. For this reason, clinical diagnosis of mesenteric ischemia should supersede...

This intra-operative medical photo shows a gangrene of the intestine. Most common causes of intestinal ischemia and infarction are: hernia, adhesions, embolus and thrombosis. The surgery is necessary.

This intra-operative medical photo shows a volvulus of small intestine. It may result in ischemia or infarction and is one of main causes of gastrointestinal tract obstruction.