Small Bowel CT Appearances
Small Bowel Ischemia CT Findings
- Abnormal bowel enhancement (increased or decreased)
- Highly attenuated bowel wall
- Bowel wall thickening which may have “target sign”
- Arterial or venous occlusion may be seen
Other Information About Small Bowel Ischemia
Etiology:
- Blood clot and/or narrowed artery
- Low blood pressure
- Cardiac disease
- Tobacco usage increases risk of ischemia
Epidemiology:
- Ischemia typically affects patients older than 50
Presentation:
- Symptoms can either come on quickly (acute SB ischemia) or slowly (chronic SB ischemia)
- Abdominal pain and/or distension, particularly postprandial
- Diarrhea
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Hematochezia
Prognosis:
- SB ischemia needs immediate medical attention
- Mortality rates can exceed 60% but are reduced with early treatment
Related Pearls: Ischemic Bowel
Related Lectures:
CT of the Small Bowel: Inflammatory Disease - Part 1