[Nonocclusive ischemia of the right colon].
BACKGROUND
Nonocclusive disease (NOD) is known to be a common cause of ischemic colitis, which is frequently underestimated.


METHODS
A computer-assisted search of radiological reports at our institute over a period of 18 months, describing ischemic colitis of the ascending colon with an unimpaired perfusion of the superior mesenteric artery, was performed.


RESULTS
A retrospective analysis of the clinical and radiological data of 14 patients was performed. In ten cases colonic ischemia was confirmed clinically or intraoperatively. Most of our patients needed intravenous catecholamines due to severe hypotension. However, no significant radiographic predictors could be identified.


CONCLUSIONS
Awareness of NOD seems to be crucial. Especially in cases of acute abdominal pain associated with severe hypotension, renal insufficiency, or pancreatitis, one should include NOD as a differential diagnosis at an early stage.
Institut für diagnostische Radiologie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität, Moorenstrasse 5, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany. frank.schellhammer@med.uni-duesseldorf.de
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D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017091:Colitis, Ischemic / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D044682:Colon, Ascending / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*