Acute Mesenteric Ischemia Induced by Ligation of Porcine Superior Mesenteric Vein: Multidetector CT Evaluations

Tang, Zuo Hua; Qiang, Jin Wei; Feng, Xiao Yuan; Li, Ruo Kun; Sun, Rong Xun; Ye, Xuan Guang

doi:10.1016/j.acra.2010.04.014

« Previous Next »Academic Radiology
Volume 17, Issue 9 , Pages 1146-1152, September 2010

Acute Mesenteric Ischemia Induced by Ligation of Porcine Superior Mesenteric Vein:

Multidetector CT Evaluations

Zuo Hua Tang, MD
- Eye and ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
- Department of Radiology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
Jin Wei Qiang, MD, PhD
- Department of Radiology, Jinshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
- Address correspondence to: J.W. or X.Y.F.
Xiao Yuan Feng, MD, PhD
- Department of Radiology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
- Address correspondence to: J.W. or X.Y.F.
Ruo Kun Li, MD
- Department of Radiology, Jinshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
Rong Xun Sun, MD
- Department of Surgery, Jinshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
Xuan Guang Ye, MD
- Department of Pathology, Jinshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China

Received 3 February 2010; accepted 21 April 2010. published online 21 June 2010.

Rationale and Objectives

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.

Materials and 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.

Conclusion

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.

Key Words: Mesenteric ischemia, superior mesenteric vein, tomography, x-ray, computed, animal model