Management of Acute Mesenteric Ischemia: A Critical Review and Treatment Algorithm.

BACKGROUND: Acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) due to a sudden loss or decrease in blood perfusion to the mesentery represents a highly lethal condition. However, the optimal surgical management remains debatable and merits a more clear recommendation based on a higher level of evidence. METHODS: A systematic review of articles published between 2000 and 2013 was performed. Patients were divided into endovascular treatment (ET), open surgery (OS), and hybrid technique (HT) groups. Data of patients' demographics, procedural information, clinical outcomes including mortality, morbidity, primary patency rate, technique success, primary intestinal resection rate, and second-look laparotomy rate, and follow-up were all retrieved. Comparison between the ET and the OS groups was made using 2-sided Student t test and 2-sided χ(2) test or Fisher exact test where appropriate. RESULTS: Twenty-eight articles with a total of 1110 patients were included for the review. The ET group had lower in-hospital mortality and morbidity but similar survival rate during follow-up compared to the OS group. The primary patency rate was higher in the ET group. The overall bowel resection rate was lower in the ET group, and nearly every patient in the cohort who required second-look laparotomy required bowel resection. The HT group seemed to have the lowest mortality and acceptable second-look laparotomy rate and morbidity. Comparison between the HT group and other groups was not possible due to the limited number of cases available for review. CONCLUSION: Endovascular treatment may serve as a first-line therapy for select patients when there is a low suspicion for intestinal necrosis. Open surgery should be reserved for emergency conditions requiring exploratory laparotomy. Hybrid technique may be an especially effective approach for treating AMI, with low morbidity and mortality, although further studies are required comparing it to OS and ET.

CT-guided injection of N-butyl cyanoacrylate glue for treatment of chylous leak after aorto-mesenteric bypass.

Lymphangiography and thoracic duct embolization are well-described techniques for the diagnosis and treatment of thoracic lymphatic leaks refractory to conservative treatment. However, thoracic duct embolization is not an option in patients with abdominal chylous leaks. The present report describes a 68-year-old man who underwent an aortomesenteric bypass complicated by a high-output postoperative chylothorax (>2,000 ml/day) and chylous ascites (>7,000 ml/paracentesis). Ultrasound-guided intranodal lymphangiography demonstrated a retroperitoneal lymphatic leak tracking along the vascular graft into the peritoneal cavity. Computed tomography-guided lymphatic duct occlusion with N-butyl cyanoacrylate glue was performed, resulting in successful treatment of both chylothorax and chylous ascites.

Mesenteric phlebosclerosis associated with long-term oral intake of geniposide, an ingredient of herbal medicine.

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic mesenteric phlebosclerosis (IMP) is a rare disease, characterised by thickening of the wall of the right hemicolon with calcification of mesenteric veins. However, the aetiology remains unknown. AIM: To investigate the possible association of herbal medicines with IMP. METHOD: The clinical data of four of our own patients were collected. Furthermore, we searched for previous reports about similar patients with detailed descriptions of herbal prescriptions that they had taken. We compared herbal ingredients to identify the toxic agent as a possible aetiological factor. RESULTS: Clinical data on a total of 25 patients were summarised. Mean age was 61.8 years and there was female predominance (6 men and 19 women). The used Kampo prescription, the number of cases, and the mean duration of use were as follows: kamisyoyosan in 12 cases for 12.8 years, inshin-iseihaito in 5 cases for 13.4 years, orengedokuto in 4 cases for 14.3 years, inchinkoto in 1 case for 20 years, kamikihitou in 1 case for 19 years, seijobofuto in 1 case for 10 years and gorinsan in 1 case for an unknown duration. Only one ingredient, sansisi, was common to the herbal medicines of all 25 patients. This crude drug called geniposide in English is a major constituent of the Gardenia fruits. CONCLUSION: The long-term use of geniposide in herbal medicines appears to be associated with mesenteric phlebosclerosis.

Mesenteric phlebosclerosis: a new disease entity causing ischemic colitis.

PURPOSE: Nonthrombotic stenosis or occlusion of the mesenteric veins is a rare cause of intestinal ischemia. The aim of this study was to describe a new disease entity causing chronic ischemic colitis. METHODS: Seven patients were diagnosed as having mesenteric phlebosclerosis. All seven patients had calcifications in the small mesenteric veins and their intramural branches. No evidence of vasculitis or portal hypertension was recognized. None of the patients had a history of gastrointestinal disease or of prolonged drug use. We report clinical, laboratory, radiographic, endoscopic, and histopathologic findings. RESULTS: Clinical findings included abdominal pain and diarrhea of a gradual onset and chronic course. A positive fecal occult blood test and mild anemia were often found. The patients had linear calcifications and stenosis in the right colon, which were discovered by plain abdominal radiography and barium enema, respectively. Endoscopic findings included edematous, dark colored mucosa and ulcerations. Four patients underwent a subtotal colectomy because of persistent abdominal pain or ileus. The histopathologic findings were macroscopically characterized by a dark purple or dark brown colored colonic surface, the swelling and disappearance of plicae semilunares coli, and marked thickening of the colonic wall, while they were microscopically characterized by marked fibrous thickening of the venous walls with calcifications, marked submucosal fibrosis, deposition of collagen in the mucosa, and foamy macrophages within the vessel walls. CONCLUSIONS: These peculiar lesions have not previously been fully described. The cause and pathogenesis still remain unknown. We conclude that such lesions represent a new clinicopathologic disease entity and propose the term "idiopathic mesenteric phlebosclerosis."

Phlebosclerotic colitis: value of radiography in diagnosis--report of three cases.

Three cases sharing the following radiologic features are reported: (a) abdominal conventional radiography-vascular calcifications at the right hemicolon, (b) abdominal computed tomography-colonic wall thickening and venous calcifications, and (c) barium enema examination-luminal narrowing of the right hemicolon and thumbprinting. There were no clinical or laboratory findings suggestive of portal hypertension. The disease entity, "phlebosclerotic colitis," should be differentiated from ordinary ischemic colitis.

Diagnostic imaging of mesenteric infarction.

PURPOSE: To determine the value of diagnostic imaging in the management of mesenteric infarction. MATERIALS AND 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). CONCLUSION: 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.

Small bowel enema and diagnosis of chronic nonischemic disturbance of superior mesenteric venous blood flow.

Chronic nonischemic disturbance of mesenteric venous blood flow is reported in 11 patients with a mean age of 19 years. This entity, rarely discussed in the literature, is different from acute thrombosis and chronic thrombotic forms with portal hypertension or hypercoagulopathy. In eight patients this syndrome was secondary to organic lesions of different origin: mesenteric vein squeezed by fibrous bands or an abnormal jejunal artery (four cases), lymphoma involving the distal superior mesenteric veins (three cases), hemangioma causing microthrombi (one case). In three patients no etiology or predisposing factor was found. All patients presented with rectal hemorrhage. Small bowel enema showed a constant pattern in 11 patients: small nodules, modified by compression or peristalsis, involving the mesenteric border of the jejunoileal segment, and associated with thick, straight but regular folds. Mesenteric varices were suspected and led to angiographic studies which were normal in three cases, confirmed varices in eight cases, and thrombosis in four cases. Laparotomy was normal in three cases and established the etiological diagnosis in eight cases. Varices were shown in six cases. Arteriography and laparotomy were unable to reach a complete diagnosis.