title: Beyond decreased bowel enhancement: acute abnormalities of the mesenteric and portal vasculature.
abstract: Acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) is a potentially life-threatening condition with an associated high mortality. Prompt diagnosis is crucial to achieve a favorable outcome. The radiologist plays a central role in the initial evaluation of a patient with suspected AMI. In this pictorial essay, we review the appropriate imaging evaluation of a patient with suspected AMI, and we review both the common and uncommon etiologies of mesenteric ischemia. With each etiology presented, relevant clinical and imaging findings, as well as potential treatments, are reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington, 325 Ninth Ave, Box 359728, Seattle, WA, 98104, USA. cks13@uw.edu.
authors.forename: Claire K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Sandstrom
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington, 325 Ninth Ave, Box 359728, Seattle, WA, 98104, USA.
authors.forename: Christopher R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Ingraham
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington, 325 Ninth Ave, Box 359728, Seattle, WA, 98104, USA.
authors.forename: Eric J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Monroe
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington, 325 Ninth Ave, Box 359728, Seattle, WA, 98104, USA.
authors.forename: Guy E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Johnson
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D006801:Humans; D007422:Intestines / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D065666:Mesenteric Ischemia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008643:Mesentery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D061330:Multidetector Computed Tomography; D011169:Portal Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*
keywords: Mesenteric ischemia; Non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia; Occlusive mesenteric ischemia; Porto-mesenteric venous thrombosis