title: Diagnostic imaging of mesenteric infarction.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the value of diagnostic imaging in the management of mesenteric infarction.
  
  
  METHODS
  Within 8 years, 54 patients with mesenteric infarction underwent diagnostic imaging before surgery, including plain radiography (n = 45), ultrasound (US) (n = 29), small bowel follow-through examination (n = 7), colon enema study (n = 7), angiography (n = 16), and computed tomography (CT) (n = 22). Clinical course, laboratory values, and imaging findings were considered in diagnosis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Radiography and US allowed correct diagnoses in five of 18 cases (28%). Only one of 14 fluoroscopic examinations contributed to diagnosis. Fourteen of 16 angiography studies (sensitivity, 87.5%) and 18 of 22 CT examinations (82%) were correct. The difference in sensitivity between CT and angiography was not significant (P > .05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CT and angiography are highly sensitive, but CT can also be used to rule out other causes of acute abdomen. Careful evaluation of patient history and clinical situation should lead to suspicion of mesenteric ischemia and early indication for CT.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Klinikum der RWTH Aachen, Germany.
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Klein
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lensing
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Klosterhalfen
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Töns
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Günther
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000792:Angiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007238:Infarction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008638:Mesenteric Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008641:Mesenteric Vascular Occlusion / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008642:Mesenteric Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008875:Middle Aged; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014463:Ultrasonography