BMJ  2003;326:1372-1376 (21 June), doi:10.1136/bmj.326.7403.1372

Clinical review

Diagnosis and management of intestinal ischaemic disorders

Jayaprakash Sreenarasimhaiah, assistant professor, gastroenterology1

1 Department of Medicine, Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, MC 8887, Dallas, TX 75390, USA jayaprakashsree@hotmail.com

Although intestinal ischaemia is an infrequent event, early recognition and appropriate treatment can reduce the potential for a devastating outcome

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Introduction

Acute or chronic abdominal pain can be the result of many different pathophysiological processes. Many presentations are due to benign processes, whereas others may be life threatening if not recognised swiftly. Among the many possible causes, clinicians need to consider the possibility of intestinal ischaemic disorders. The variable vessels involved, location of bowel affected, and different levels of acuity of illness all result in multiple possible presentations. The detection of such a serious condition can be a diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma. This review aims to help clinicians to understand the features and management of acute and chronic mesenteric ischaemia, mesenteric venous thrombosis, and ischaemic colitis.

Sources and selection criteria

The information in this review is based on results of a Medline search for reviews and evidence based studies in major journals from the disciplines of gastroenterology, surgery, and radiology published between 1966 and 2003. The key words used included "intestinal ischemia," "mesenteric ischemia," "ischemic . . . [Full text of this article]

Clinical features

Acute mesenteric ischaemia
Mesenteric venous thrombosis
Chronic mesenteric ischaemia
Ischaemic colitis

Diagnosis

Management

Conclusion


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