According to the study, MDCT angiography can accurately demonstrate filling defects in both the superior mesenteric artery and its branches. It also provides excellent negative predictive value for acute mesenteric ischemia.
The authors of the study say that MDCT angiography has definite advantages over conventional angiography, which is currently considered to be the gold standard for diagnosing acute mesenteric ischemia. "Conventional angiography is an invasive study associated with complications and morbidity. MDCT angiography enabled correct diagnosis of acute mesenteric ischemia in 10 out of our 41 patients, four of whom had both conventional angiography and CT angiography performed. The CT angiography had been performed first and was interpreted as positive for mesenteric ischemia. Conventional angiography was performed immediately after the CT for further confirmation and correlated very well. Conventional angiography was not performed in the other cases since it was not deemed necessary and the diagnosis was proved at subsequent surgery," said Gabriela Gayer, MD, lead author of the study,
According to the study, not only did MDCT angiography show mesenteric ischemia in 10 out of 41 patients, it also provided alternative diagnoses for 19 of the remaining 31 patients. "Another advantage of MDCT angiography is that alternative diagnoses may be made in negative cases. Of the 19 alternative diagnoses made in our study, acute pancreatitis and perforation of a hollow viscus were the most frequent diagnoses," Dr. Gayer said.
Dr. Gayer will present the study on May 3 during the American Roentgen Ray Society Annual Meeting in Miami Beach, FL.
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