Mesenteric artery occlusion

Question 1

Features

Answer 1

Acute intestinal ischaemia arises from SMA occlusion

—may be acute or chronic.

CT scanning best definition

Question 2

Management

Answer 2

Early surgery may prevent gut necrosis

massive resection of necrosed gut may be required as a life-saving procedure.

Early diagnosis (within a few hrs) is essential.

Question 3

Typical pain distribution of mesenteric arterial occlusion

Answer 3

Question 4

Clinical features include:

Answer 4

Due to atheromatous occlusion of mesenteric vessels.

1. sharp abd pain in an elderly patient with bloody diarrhoea

or

2. periumbilical pain and diarrhoea about 15–30 mins after eating