Mesenteric Ischemia. This post will cover the points you need to know for your board exams as well as for teaching residents on the daily rounds. Please don't use the information here to treat your patients.
Mesenteric ischemia is either acute or chronic. Acute mesenteric ischemia is usually associated with bloating, abdominal pain and vomiting. Chronic mesenteric ischemia is usually associated with a triad of postprandial (1-2 hours) abdominal pain, fear of eating (sitophobia) and weight loss. Either of these conditions can be associated with diarrhea or change in bowel habits. Acute mesenteric ischemia is usually treated with immediate surgery. Chronic mesenteric ischemia treatment depends on the angiographic findings. It can be either angioplasty or surgery (bypass...).
A specific entity worth mentioning here is ischemic colitis which can occur due to any cause of relative low oxygenation, like atherosclerosis, dehydration, hypotension, heavy exercise and surgery. It is characterized by bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain and urgency. It causes submucosal edema and bleeding that can be seen as thumbprinting shadows on gastrographin or oral contrast CT study. It is usually self-limited, however, right-sided conditions are more common to have complications like sepsis, perforation and surgical intervention.
A unique book in this topic to read is Mesenteric Vascular Disease.
The information in this post is not for patients and shouldn't be used in treating patients. Please refer to your doctor for medical advice.