Multidetector CT and CT angiography in mesenteric ischemia

PurposeTo evaluate the role of 64-multidetector CT in assessment of mesenteric vascular ischemia in clinically suspected patients.Patients and methodsThis study included 38 patients during period from October 2009 to October 2011. The patients age ranged from 38 to 72 year old (mean age was 57 ± 11.2 years). All cases met the criteria of acute non traumatic (28 patients) or chronic abdominal pain (10 patients) and suspected mesenteric vascular ischemia. All 38 cases were evaluated in surgery department, then underwent CT of the abdomen and pelvis & CTA by using 64 multislice GE light speed VCT. MDCT& CT angiographic findings were correlated with surgical findings in acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) cases & conventional angiography in chronic mesenteric ischemia (CMI) cases.ResultsMDCT findings alone were nonspecific for detection of MI. The sensitivity, specificity& accuracy of CTA in diagnosis of AMI after surgical confirmation were 96%, 66.6% & 92.8% respectively, while in CMI the sensitivity, specificity & accuracy were 88.8%, 100%, 90% respectively, after confirmation by conventional angiography.ConclusionCTA scan appears to be an excellent tool to find out and localize cases of AMI rather than in CMI cases.