Ischeamic enteritis

Question 1

Acute

Answer 1

Blockage of one of the three main vessels supplying the gut (coeliac, superior and inferior mesenteric) will lead to transmural infarction

Question 2

Chronic

Answer 2

Gradual occlusion over time

• May have limited symptoms due to anastomosis
• Mucosa and submucosal damage

Question 3

Histology of acute

Answer 3

• Central oedema
• Intersistial hemorrage
• Vascular dilatation
• Undifferentiated nuclei
• Sloughing necrosis

Question 4

Symptoms of acute

Answer 4

Severe abdominal pain
No abdominal signs
Hypovolemic shock

Question 5

Symptoms of chronic (mesenteric and colonic)

Answer 5

Colonic:

• Bloody diarrhoea
• Lower left abdominal pain

Mesenteric:

• Decreased weight
• Post food abdominal pain
• Abdominal bruit

Question 6

Aetiology

Answer 6

Thrombosis

• Severe atherosclerosis
• Vasculitis
• Dissecting aneurysm
• Oral contraceptive

Embolism:

• Cardiac vegetations
• Cholesterol

Non-occlusive:

• Cardiac failure
• Shock/dehyrdation
• Vasoconstrictive drugs