Acute mesenteric ischemia induced by ligation of porcine superior mesenteric vein: multidetector CT evaluations.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) for detecting the early changes and dynamic evolution of acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) induced by the ligation of superior mesenteric vein (SMV) in an experimental porcine model.


METHODS
Twelve pigs were randomly assigned to three experimental groups, and one control group with three pigs in each group. After laparotomy, the SMV was separated and ligated in nine pigs and separated without ligation in three controls. MDCT pre- and postcontrast with arterial, venous, and delayed phase scans, and CT angiography reconstructions of mesenteric vessels were carried out at preoperation, 6 hours, 12 hours, and 18 hours after ligation. The findings of mesenteric vessels, bowel, abdominal cavity at pre- and postoperation, and dynamic evolution were correlated with pathology.


RESULTS
AMI-induced pathological changes were identified in all nine experimental pigs. MDCT angiography clearly delineated main trunk of the SMV, peripheral major and minor tributaries up to brushy vasa recta, and the location and shape of ligations. The early ischemic findings were bowel wall thickening, mesenteric edema, ascites, and pronounced bowel enhancement. Superior mesenteric artery and its major branches appeared spasm with poor filling and delayed and prolonged visualization. SMV and its tributaries were poorly delineated with delayed opacification. We also saw thinning of bowel wall, dilatating bowel with fluid, aggravating mesenteric edema and ascites, and poor enhanced bowel over time.


CONCLUSIONS
MDCT detects early changes of mesenteric ischemia and its evolution after ligation of porcine SMV, and may find application in early diagnosis of human venous occlusive AMI.
Tang
Zuo Hua
ZH
Eye and ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China; Department of Radiology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China.
Qiang
Jin Wei
JW
Feng
Xiao Yuan
XY
Li
Ruo Kun
RK
Sun
Rong Xun
RX
Ye
Xuan Guang
XG
D000208:Acute Disease; D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008026:Ligation; D008641:Mesenteric Vascular Occlusion / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008642:Mesenteric Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013552:Swine; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*