Conservative management of symptomatic spontaneous isolated dissection of the superior mesenteric artery.
BACKGROUND
Spontaneous isolated dissection of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) is uncommon. Because of its rarity, the risk factors, aetiology and natural history are unclear, and there is no consensus on the optimal treatment strategy.


METHODS
Seven consecutive patients with symptomatic spontaneous isolated SMA dissection who received conservative treatment between March 2003 and February 2008 were included in this study. Their clinical characteristics, treatment methods and outcomes were analysed retrospectively.


RESULTS
Acute abdominal pain was the most common clinical manifestation. Initial contrast-enhanced dynamic computed tomography (CT) showed isolated SMA dissection with partial thrombosis in all seven patients. Full anticoagulation was carried out immediately after the diagnosis. Clinical symptoms disappeared within 14 days and follow-up CT showed complete resolution of the dissection in four patients. After a mean follow-up of 23 months, there was no mortality or morbidity related to the dissection.


CONCLUSIONS
In patients with symptomatic spontaneous isolated dissection of the SMA, conservative management is feasible if there is no evidence of bowel infarction or bleeding.
Cho
Y P
YP
Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Asan Medical Centre, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 388-1 Pungnap-2dong, Songpa-gu, 138-736, Seoul, Korea. ypcho@amc.seoul.kr
Ko
G Y
GY
Kim
H K
HK
Moon
K M
KM
Kwon
T W
TW
D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology; D000328:Adult; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017538:Mesenteric Artery, Superior / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008641:Mesenteric Vascular Occlusion / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000925:Anticoagulants