Mesenteric ischemia with intrasplenic gas:A case report

BACKGROUND Acute mesenteric ischemia is a life-threatening disease.Intrasplenic gas is an extremely rare finding in such cases.CASE SUMMARY We report a case of a 79-year-old woman with a history of end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis for approximately 20 years,type 2 diabetes mellitus,and atrial fibrillation who presented with two days of epigastric pain.A computed tomography scan of the abdomen revealed intraperitoneal free air and significant intrasplenic gas.Laparoscopy revealed diffuse intestinal gangrene,and acute superior mesenteric ischemia was diagnosed.The patient died within 24 hours owing to profound shock.CONCLUSION Intrasplenic gas is an extremely rare finding on computed tomography imaging in cases of acute mesenteric ischemia.

Chyle leak following root of mesentery dissection in pancreaticoduodenectomy with inferior infracolic superior mesenteric artery first approach

BACKGROUND The root of mesentery dissection is one of the critical maneuvers,especially in borderline resectable pancreatic head cancer.Intra-abdominal chyle leak(CL)including chylous ascites may ensue in up to 10%of patients after pancreatic resections.Globally recognized superior mesenteric artery(SMA)first approaches are invariably performed.The mesenteric dissection through the inferior infracolic approach has been discussed in this study emphasizing its post-operative impact on CL which is the cornerstone of this study.AIM To assess incidence,risk factors,clinical impact of CL following root of mesentery dissection,and the different treatment modalities.METHODS This is a retrospective study incorporating the patients who underwent dissection of the root of mesentery with inferior infracolic SMA first approach pancreat-oduodenectomy for the ventral body and uncinate mass of pancreas in the Department of Gastrointestinal and General Surgery of Kathmandu Medical College and Teaching Hospital from January 1,2021 to February 28,2024.Intraop-erative findings and postoperative outcomes were analyzed.RESULTS In three years,ten patients underwent root of mesentery dissection with inferior infracolic SMA first approach pancreatoduodenectomy.The mean age was 67.6 years with a male-to-female ratio of 4:5.CL was seen in four patients.With virtue of CL,Clavien-Dindo grade Ⅱ or higher morbidity was observed in four patients.Two patients had a hospital stay of more than 20 days with the former having a delayed gastric emptying and the latter with long-term total parenteral nutrition requirement.The mean operative time was 330 minutes.Curative resection was achieved in 100%of the patients.The mean duration of the intensive care unit and hospital stay were 2.55±1.45 days and 15.7±5.32 days,respectively.CONCLUSION Root of mesentery dissection with lymphadenectomy and vascular resection correlated with occurrence of CL.After complete curative resection,these were managed with total parenteral nutrition without adversely impacting outcome.

Mesenteric venous thrombosis in a young adult:A case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND Acute mesenteric vein thrombosis(MVT)accounts for only 2%–10%of all cases of acute mesenteric ischaemia,with an incidence rate of~0.1%in Europe and the United States.It represents<10%of mesenteric infarction cases and is seen predominantly in older adults.In younger individuals,MVT is uncommon,with 36%of cases having unidentified mechanisms and causes.CASE SUMMARY A 27-year-old man presented to the emergency department on February 29,2024,with a chief complaint of intermittent abdominal pain for 3 day.He was previously in good health.As the abdominal pain was not alleviated by conventional treatment,an abdominal computed tomography(CT)scan was performed,which showed increased density in the portal and mesenteric veins.Further imaging,including portal vein ultrasound,mesenteric CT angiography,and enhanced abdominal CT,revealed widespread thrombosis of the portal vein system(including the main portal vein,left and right branches,proximal mesenteric vein,and splenic vein).After 10 day of thrombectomy and anticoagulation therapy,the patient’s abdominal pain had improved significantly.Follow-up assessments indicated that portal venous blood flow had largely returned to normal.He was discharged on March 9,2024.During a follow-up exam 2 months later,repeat abdominal enhanced CT showed that the previously detected thrombi were no longer visible.CONCLUSION Clinicians should remain vigilant for acute MVT in young patients presenting with abdominal pain,to prevent misdiagnosis of this fatal condition.

Dynamic ultrasonography for optimizing treatment position in superior mesenteric artery syndrome:Two case reports and review of literature

BACKGROUND Superior mesenteric artery(SMA)syndrome is a rare cause of duodenal obstruction by extrinsic compression between the SMA and the aorta(SMA-Ao).Although the left lateral recumbent position is considered effective in the treatment of SMA syndrome,individual variations in the optimal patient position have been noted.In this report,we present two elderly cases of SMA syndrome that exhibited rapid recovery due to ultrasonographic dynamic evaluation of the optimal position for each patient.CASE SUMMARY Case 1:A 90-year-old man with nausea and vomiting.Following diagnosis of SMA syndrome by computed tomography(CT),ultrasonography(US)revealed the SMA-Ao distance in the supine position(4 mm),which slightly improved in the lateral position(5.7–7.0 mm)without the passage of duodenal contents.However,in the sitting position,the SMA-Ao distance was increased to 15 mm accompanied by improved content passage.Additionally,US indicated enhanced passage upon abdominal massage on the right side.By day 2,the patient could eat comfortably with the optimal position and massage.Case 2:An 87-year-old woman with vomiting.After the diagnosis of SMA syndrome and aspiration pneumonia by CT,dynamic US confirmed the optimal position(SMA-Ao distance was improved to 7 mm in forward-bent position,whereas it remained at 5 mm in the supine position).By day 7 when her pneumonia recovered,she could eat with the optimal position.CONCLUSION The optimal position for SMA syndrome varies among individuals.Dynamic US appears to be a valuable tool in improving patient outcomes.

Mesenteric adipose tissue B lymphocytes promote intestinal injury in severe acute pancreatitis by mediating enteric pyroptosis

Background:Visceral adipose tissue(VAT)has been linked to the severe acute pancreatitis(SAP)prognosis,although the underlying mechanism remains unclear.It has been reported that pyroptosis worsens SAP.The present study aimed to verify whether mesenteric adipose tissue(MAT,a component of VAT)can cause secondary intestinal injury through the pyroptotic pathway.Methods:Thirty-six male Sprague Dawley(SD)rats were divided into six different groups.Twelve rats were randomly divided into the SAP and control groups.We monitored the changes of MAT and B lymphocytes infiltration in MAT of SAP rats.Twelve SAP rats were injected with MAT B lymphocytes or phosphate buffer solution(PBS).The remaining twelve SAP rats were first injected with MAT B lymphocytes,and then with MCC950(NLRP3 inhibitor)or PBS.We collected blood and tissue samples from pancreas,gut and MAT for analysis.Results:Compared to the control rats,the SAP group showed inflammation in MAT,including higher expression of tumor necrosis factor(TNF-α)and interleukin-6(IL-6),lower expression of IL-10,and histological changes.Flow cytometry analysis revealed B lymphocytes infiltration in MAT but not T lymphocytes and macrophages.The SAP rats also exhibited intestinal injury,characterized by lower expression of zonula occludens-1(ZO-1)and occludin,higher levels of lipopolysaccharide and diamine oxidase,and pathological changes.The expression of NLRP3 and n-GSDMD,which are responsible for pyroptosis,was increased in the intestine of SAP rats.The injection of MAT B lymphocytes into SAP rats exacerbated the inflammation in MAT.The upregulation of pyroptosis reduced tight junction in the intestine,which contributed to the SAP progression,including higher inflammatory indicators and worse histological changes.The administration of MCC950 to SAP+MAT B rats downregulated pyroptosis,which subsequently improved the intestinal barrier and ameliorated inflammatory response of SAP.Conclusions:In SAP,MAT B lymphocytes aggravated local inflammation,and promoted the injury to the intestine through the enteric pyroptotic pathway.

Gut microbiota and mesenteric adipose tissue interactions in shaping phenotypes and treatment strategies for Crohn’s disease

In this letter,we commented on the article by Wu et al.We examined the interactions between mesenteric adipose tissue,creeping fat,and gut microbiota in Crohn’s disease(CD),a condition marked by chronic gastrointestinal inflammation with a rising global incidence.The pathogenesis of CD involves complex genetic,environmental,and microbial factors.Dysbiosis,which is an imbalance in gut microbial communities,is frequently observed in CD patients,highlighting the pivotal role of the gut microbiota in disease progression and the inflammatory response.Recent studies have shown that mesenteric adipose tissue and creeping fat actively contribute to inflammation by producing proinflammatory cytokines.The relationship between creeping fat and altered microbiota can shift from a potentially protective role to one that encourages bacterial translocation,further complicating disease management.Recent research has suggested that fecal microbiota transplantation could help restore microbial balance,offering a promising therapeutic strategy to improve clinical disease response.

Rupture of a giant jejunal mesenteric cystic lymphangioma misdiagnosed as ovarian torsion: A case report

BACKGROUND Cystic lymphangioma is a rare benign tumor that affects the lymphatic system.Mesenteric lymphangiomas in the small bowel are extremely uncommon.CASE SUMMARY We present a 21-year-old female patient who complained of abdominal pain.The diagnosis of ovarian torsion was suspected after abdominopelvic unenhanced computed tomography and ultrasound revealed a large cyst in contact with the bladder,ovary,and uterus.The patient underwent emergency laparotomy per-formed by gynecologists,but it was discovered that the cystic tumor originated from the jejunum.Gastrointestinal surgeons were then called in to perform a cystectomy.Pathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of cystic lymphangioma of the mesentery.The patient had an uneventful postoperative recovery.CONCLUSION Mesenteric lymphangiomas can cause abdominal pain,and imaging techniques can help determine their characteristics,location,and size.Complete surgical excision and pathological examination are considered the standard treatment and diagnostic method.

Idiopathic mesenteric phlebosclerosis missed by a radiologist at initial diagnosis: A case report

BACKGROUND Idiopathic mesenteric phlebosclerosis(IMP)is a rare type of ischemic colitis characterized by thickening of the wall of the right hemicolon and calcification,sclerosis,and fibrosis of mesenteric veins.The diagnosis of IMP is based on typical clinical features and imaging findings.We report a case of IMP that was initially missed by the radiologist.CASE SUMMARY A 77-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital due to chronic diarrhea for over 2 months.She had been consuming Chinese patent medicines(CPM)containing fructus gardeniae for more than 15 years.Colonoscopy revealed an edematous mucosa,bluish-purple discoloration,erosions,and ulcerations throughout the colorectal area.Abdominal computed tomography(CT)showed diffuse mural thickening of the entire colorectum,with tortuous thread-like calcifications in the right hemicolon,left hemicolon,and rectum.Most of the calcifications were located in the mesenteric vein.The diagnosis of IMP was established based on medical history,colonoscopy,CT findings,and histopathological examination.The patient was treated conservatively with papaverine and rifaximin,and CPM was stopped.Her diarrhea symptoms improved,indicating the effectiveness of the treatment.Over the next several years,she took opium alkaloids for an extended period and did not require hospitalization for the aforementioned gastrointestinal disorder.CONCLUSION IMP is a rare gastrointestinal disease affecting Asian populations,possibly related to long-term herbal medicine intake.Accurate imaging analysis is crucial for diagnosis,but insufficient understanding of the disease can lead to misdiagnosis or missed diagnosis.Treatment strategies should be personalized.

Comprehensive interventions for adult cyclic vomiting syndrome complicated by superior mesenteric artery syndrome:A case report

BACKGROUND Cyclic vomiting syndrome(CVS)is a chronic functional gastrointestinal disorder involving the gut–brain interaction that is characterized by recurring episodes of nausea,vomiting,abdominal pain,and interspersed complete normal periods.Superior mesenteric artery(SMA)syndrome(SMAS)is a vascular condition in which the horizontal portion of the duodenum is compressed due to a reduced angle between the aorta and the SMA.This condition presents with symptoms similar to CVS,posing challenges in distinguishing between the two and often resulting in misdiagnosis or inappropriate treatment.CASE SUMMARY A 20-year-old female patient presented with recurrent episodes of vomiting and experienced a persistent fear of vomiting for the past 2 years.She adopted conscious dietary restrictions,which led to severe malnutrition.Initially,she was diagnosed with SMAS,as revealed by computed tomography angiography.Despite efforts to increase the angle between the aorta and the SMA through weight gain,her vomiting did not improve.Finally,she was diagnosed with comorbidities including CVS,SMAS and anxiety disorder.She underwent comprehensive interventions,including enteral and parenteral nutritional supplementation,administration of antiemetic and anti-anxiety agents,and participation in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy.The patient eventually experienced a notable improvement in both body weight and clinical symptoms.CONCLUSION We present a rare case of CVS in an adult complicated with SMAS and propose additional treatment with nutritional support,pharmacological intervention,and psychotherapy.

Emergency rescue of a patient with hemorrhagic shock caused by superior mesenteric artery rupture:A case report

BACKGROUND Superior mesenteric artery(SMA)injuries rarely occur during blunt abdominal injuries,with an incidence of<1%.The clinical manifestations mainly include abdominal hemorrhage and peritoneal irritation,which progress rapidly and are easily misdiagnosed.Quick and accurate diagnosis and timely effective treatment are greatly significant in managing emergent cases.This report describes emergency rescue by a multidisciplinary team of a patient with hemorrhagic shock caused by SMA rupture.CASE SUMMARY A 55-year-old man with hemorrhagic shock presented with SMA rupture.On admission,he showed extremely unstable vital signs and was unconscious with a laceration on his head,heart rate of 143 beats/min,shallow and fast breathing(frequency>35 beats/min),and blood pressure as low as 20/10 mmHg(1 mmHg=0.133 kPa).Computed tomography revealed abdominal and pelvic hematocele effusion,suggesting active bleeding.The patient was suspected of partial rupture of the distal SMA branch.The patient underwent emergency mesenteric artery ligation,scalp suture,and liver laceration closure.In view of conditions with acute onset,rapid progression,and high bleeding volume,key points of nursing were conducted,including activating emergency protocol,opening of the green channel,and arranging relevant examinations with various medical staff for quick diagnosis.The seamless collaboration of the multidisciplinary team helped shorten the preoperative preparation time.Emergency laparotomy exploration and mesenteric artery ligation were performed to mitigate hemorrhagic shock while establishing efficient venous accesses and closely monitoring the patient’s condition to ensure hemodynamic stability.Strict measures were taken to avoid intraoperative hypothermia and infection.CONCLUSION After 3.5 h of emergency rescue and medical care,bleeding was successfully controlled,and the patient’s condition was stabilized.Subsequently,the patient was transferred to the intensive care unit for continuous monitoring and treatment.On the sixth day,the patient was weaned off the ventilator,extubated,and relocated to a specialized ward.Through diligent medical intervention and attentive nursing,the patient made a full recovery and was discharged on day 22.The follow-up visit confirmed the patient’s successful recovery.

Multidetector computer tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of double superior mesenteric veins:A case report

BACKGROUND This study aimed to describe the findings of double superior mesenteric veins(SMVs),a rare anatomical variation,on multidetector computer tomography(MDCT)and magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)images.CASE SUMMARY We describe the case of a 34-year-old male,who underwent both MDC and MRI examinations of the upper abdomen because of liver cirrhosis.MDCT and MRI angiography images of the upper abdomen revealed an anatomic variation of the superior mesenteric vein(SMV),the double SMVs.CONCLUSION The double SMVs are a congenital abnormality without potential clinical manifestation.Physicians need to be aware of this anatomical variation during abdominal surgery to avoid iatrogenic injury.

Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome, a Rare Complication of Severe Malnutrition: Two Cases from a Subsaharian Endocrinology Department

Introduction: Superior mesenteric artery syndrome (SMAS), a rare diagnosis due to compression of the third duodenum between the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and the aorta resulting in bowel obstruction, may lead to severe malnutrition. We report two cases of patients hospitalised in the Internal Medicine, Endocrinology, Diabetology, and Nutrition Department of the National Hospital Center (NHC) of Pikine. Observations: Patient 1: A 35-year-old female was referred for an aetiological diagnosis due to a rapid weight loss of 15 kilograms in one month, accompanied by persistent vomiting, following an appendectomy performed a month before admission. Upon clinical examination, she presented severe malnutrition (Buzby index of 76%), early post-prandial chronic vomiting, and a poor general condition. An abdominal CT scan revealed aortomesenteric clamp syndrome (AMCS) with an angulation between the aorta and the SMA of 13˚. The underlying cause in this patient was severe malnutrition. Fortunately, her condition improved with medical treatment. Patient 2: We report the case of a 30-year-old female hospitalized due to unusual weight-bearing post-prandial epigastric pain and intermittent vomiting over the past six months. Upon physical examination at admission, she exhibited severe malnutrition with a body mass index (BMI) of 14 kg/m2, a Buzby index of 71%, trophic disorders, and a stage IV general condition assessment according to the World Health Organization (WHO). An abdominal CT scan revealed AMCS with an angle between the aorta and the SMA of 22˚ and an aortomesenteric space of 4 mm. The outcome was poor with medical treatment failure and, unfortunately, the patient died before surgery. Conclusion: SMAS is rarely evoked in clinical practice despite the presence of contributing factors and suggestive clinical signs. The prognosis depends on management time.

Simultaneous Compression of the Celiac Trunk, Superior Mesenteric Artery, and Renal Arteries by the Median Arcuate Ligament: About One Case

Median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS), is a rare abdominal vascular compression syndrome caused by the compression of the proximal celiac trunk by the median arcuate ligament. According to many authors, a low insertion of the diaphragmatic crura or an abnormally high origin of the celiac trunk from the aorta can cause compression of the celiac artery. Usually, patients with MALS are asymptomatic. Computed tomography (CT) angiography of the abdomen is the main imaging modality to confirm the diagnosis. The coexistence of celiac trunk and superior mesenteric artery compression by the median arcuate ligament is rarely described in the literature. To our knowledge, until now, a simultaneous combination of three abdominal vascular compressions by the median arcuate ligament has never been described. From this case, we report a simultaneous compression of the celiac trunk, superior mesenteric artery, and renal arteries by the median arcuate ligament.

Multidisciplinary management of acute mesenteric ischemia:Surgery and endovascular intervention

Acute mesenteric ischemia(AMI)is a rare cause of the“acute abdomen”,characterized by impaired blood flow to the intestine.The principle of treatment is restoration of perfusion to ischemic bowel and resection of any necrotic intestine.Surgery and endovascular intervention are two complementary approaches to mesenteric ischemia.Endovascular intervention is not an alternative to the surgical approach,but it has the potential to improve the prognosis of patients with AMI when judiciously combined with a surgical approach.Due to the need for emergent treatment of patients with acute mesenteric ischemia,the treatment strategy needs to be modified for each facility.This review aims to highlight cutting-edge studies and provide reasonable treatment strategies for patients with acute mesenteric ischemia based on available evidence.

Surgical management of peritonitis secondary to acute superior mesenteric artery occlusion

Diagnosis of acute arterial mesenteric ischemia in the early stages is now possible using modern computed tomography with intravenous contrast enhancement and imaging in the arterial and/or portal phase.Most patients have acute superior mesenteric artery(SMA)occlusion,and a large proportion of these patients will develop peritonitis prior to mesenteric revascularization,and explorative laparotomy will therefore be necessary to evaluate the extent and severity of intestinal ischemia,and to perform bowel resections.The establishment of a hybrid operating room in vascular units in hospitals is most important to be able to perform successful intestinal revascularization.This review outlines current frontline surgical strategies to improve survival and minimize bowel morbidity in patients with peritonitis secondary to acute SMA occlusion.Explorative laparotomy needs to be performed first.Curative treatment is based upon intestinal revascularization followed by bowel resection.If no vascular imaging has been carried out,SMA angiography is performed.In case of embolic occlusion of the SMA,open embolectomy is performed followed by angiography.In case of thrombotic occlusion,the occlusive lesion can be recanalized retrograde from an exposed SMA,the guidewire snared from either the femoral or brachial artery,and stented with standard devices from these access sites.Bowel resections and sometimes gall bladder removal due to transmural infarctions are performed at initial laparotomy,leaving definitive bowel reconstructions to a planned second look laparotomy,according to the principles of damage control surgery.Patients with peritonitis secondary to acute SMA occlusion should be managed by both the general and vascular surgeon,and a hybrid revascularization approach is of utmost importance to improve outcomes.

Mesenteric ischemia:Pathogenesis and challengingdiagnostic and therapeutic modalities

Mesenteric ischemia(MI) is an uncommon medical condition with high mortality rates. ΜΙ includes inadequate blood supply, inflammatory injury and eventually necrosis of the bowel wall. The disease can be divided into acute and chronic MI(CMI), with the first being subdivided into four categories. Therefore, acute MI(AMI) can occur as a result of arterial embolism, arterial thrombosis, mesenteric venous thrombosis and nonocclusive causes. Bowel damage is in proportion to the mesenteric blood flow decrease and may vary from minimum lesions, due to reversible ischemia, to transmural injury, with subsequent necrosis and perforation. CMI is associated to diffuse atherosclerotic disease in more than 95% of cases, with all major mesenteric arteries presenting stenosis or occlusion. Because of a lack of specific signs or due to its sometime quiet presentation, this condition is frequently diagnosed only at an advanced stage. Computed tomography(CT) imaging and CT angiography contribute to differential diagnosis and management of AMI. Angiography is also the criterion standard for CMI, with mesenteric duplex ultrasonography and magnetic resonance angiography also being of great importance. Therapeutic approach of MI includes both medical and surgical treatment. Surgical procedures include restoration of the blood flow with arteriotomy, endarterectomy or anterograde bypass, while resection of necrotic bowel is always implemented. The aim of this review was to evaluate the results of surgical treatment for MI and to present the recent literature in order to provide an update on the current concepts of surgical management of the disease. Mesh words selected include MI, diagnostic approach and therapeutic management.

Mesenteric lymph reperfusion may exacerbate brain injury in a rat model of superior mesenteric artery occlusion shock

BACKGROUND：The intestinal lymphatic pathway and intestinal ischemia/reperfusion are mainly involved in mesenteric lymph duct ligation or drainage; moreover,intervention by reducing the lymph liquid reflux might relieve lung and other organ dysfunction induced by intestinal ischemia/reperfusion; however,research addressing mesenteric lymph reperfusion （MLR） and brain injury has not yet to be reported.OBJECTIVE：To observe the effect of MLR on brain tissue in a rat model of superior mesenteric artery occlusion （SMAO） shock,and to explore the molecular mechanism of MLR.DESIGN,TIME AND SETTING：A randomized,controlled,animal experiment at a neuro-pathophysiology level was performed at the Institute of Microcirculation,Hebei North University; Department of Pathophysiology,Basic Medical College; Department of Pathology,the First Hospital of Hebei North University between December 2007 and March 2009.MATERIALS：Adenosine triphosphate （ATP） standard was provided by the National Institute for the Control of Pharmaceutical and Biological Products; lactic acid （LA）,superoxide dismutase （SOD）,malonaldehyde （MDA）,nitrogen monoxidum （NO）,nitric oxide synthase （NOS）,myeloperoxidase （MPO） and ATPase assay kits were provided by Nanjing Jiancheng Bioengineering Institute,China.METHODS：A total of 24 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups.In the sham-surgery group （n = 6）,both the mesenteric lymph duct and the superior mesenteric artery were not blocked; in the MLR group （n = 6）,the mesenteric lymph duct was occluded for 1 hour followed by 2-hour reperfusion; in the SMAO group （n = 6）,the superior mesenteric artery was occluded for 1 hour followed by 2-hour reperfusion; in the MLR ＋ SMAO group （n = 6）,both the mesenteric lymph duct and superior mesenteric artery were occluded for 1 hour followed by 2-hour reperfusion.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES：Mean arterial blood pressure prior to and following ischemia/reperfusion; brain tissue morphology levels of LA,MDA,SOD,NO,NOS,MPO,ATPase and ATP following reperfusion.RESULTS：MLR did not cause changes in mean arterial blood pressure,brain tissue morphology,LA,MDA,NO,ATP,SOD,NOS,MPO and ATPase.However,SMAO caused a rapid decrease and gradual increase of mean arterial blood pressure.Neuronal necrosis,degeneration and swelling were observed in brain tissue.Contents of MDA,NO,LA and ATP as well as activities of NOS and MPO were significantly increased （P〈 0.05）,but activities of SOD and Na＋-K＋-ATPase were significantly decreased （P 〈 0.05）.MLR aggravated neuronal damage in a rat model of SMAO shock.Following MLR,mean arterial blood pressure was significantly decreased （P 〈 0.05）,contents of MDA and NO as well as activities of NOS and MPO were significantly increased （P 〈0.05）,but activities of Ca2＋-ATPase,Mg2＋-ATPase and Ca2＋-Mg2＋-ATPase as well as ATP content were significantly decreased （P〈 0.05）.CONCLUSION：MLR aggravates brain injury in a rat model of SMAO shock,which correlates with oxygen-derived free radical injury,NO synthesis and release,sequestration of neutrophilic granulocytes,decreasing activity of cell membrane pumps and energy metabolism dysfunction.Pathogenesis of the intestinal lymphatic pathway should be thoroughly investigated to prevent ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Nomogram for predicting transmural bowel infarction in patients with acute superior mesenteric venous thrombosis

BACKGROUND The prognosis of acute mesenteric ischemia(AMI)caused by superior mesenteric venous thrombosis(SMVT)remains undetermined and early detection of transmural bowel infarction(TBI)is crucial.The predisposition to develop TBI is of clinical concern,which can lead to fatal sepsis with hemodynamic instability and multi-organ failure.Early resection of necrotic bowel could improve the prognosis of AMI,however,accurate prediction of TBI remains a challenge for clinicians.When determining the eligibility for explorative laparotomy,the underlying risk factors for bowel infarction should be fully evaluated.AIM To develop and externally validate a nomogram for prediction of TBI in patients with acute SMVT.METHODS Consecutive data from 207 acute SMVT patients at the Wuhan Tongji Hospital and 89 patients at the Guangzhou Nanfang Hospital between July 2005 and December 2018 were included in this study.They were grouped as training and external validation cohort.The 207 cases(training cohort)from Tongji Hospital were divided into TBI and reversible intestinal ischemia groups based on the final therapeutic outcomes.Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify independent risk factors for TBI using the training data,and a nomogram was subsequently developed.The performance of the nomogram was evaluated with respect to discrimination,calibration,and clinical usefulness in the training and external validation cohort.RESULTS Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses identified the following independent prognostic factors associated with TBI in the training cohort:The decreased bowel wall enhancement(OR=6.37,P<0.001),rebound tenderness(OR=7.14,P<0.001),serum lactate levels>2 mmol/L(OR=3.14,P=0.009)and previous history of deep venous thrombosis(OR=6.37,P<0.001).Incorporating these four factors,the nomogram achieved good calibration in the training set[area under the receiver operator characteristic curve(AUC)0.860;95%CI:0.771-0.925]and the external validation set(AUC 0.851;95%CI:0.796-0.897).The positive and negative predictive values(95%CIs)of the nomogram were calculated,resulting in positive predictive values of 54.55%(40.07%-68.29%)and 53.85%(43.66%-63.72%)and negative predictive values of 93.33%(82.14%-97.71%)and 92.24%(85.91%-95.86%)for the training and validation cohorts,respectively.Based on the nomogram,patients who had a Nomo-score of more than 90 were considered to have high risk for TBI.Decision curve analysis indicated that the nomogram was clinically useful.CONCLUSION The nomogram achieved an optimal prediction of TBI in patients with AMI.Using the model,the risk for an individual patient inclined to TBI can be assessed,thus providing a rational therapeutic choice.

Influence of mesenteric lymph reperfusion on neurotransmitter expression in brain tissue of a superior mesenteric artery occlusion shock rat model

BACKGROUND： Previous studies have shown that mesenteric lymph reperfusion （MLR） exacerbates brain injury in a rat model of superior mesenteric artery occlusion （SMAO） shock. However, little is known about the influence of MLR on neurotransmitter expression in brain tissue. OBJECTIVE： To observe the effect of MLR on brain tissue injury by measuring monoamine and cholinergic neurotransmitter levels. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A randomized, controlled, animal experiment was performed at the Institute of Microcirculation, Hebei North University, China; Research Room of Microcirculation and Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Pathophysiology, Basic Medical College, Hebei North University between December 2007 and March 2009. MATERIALS： Choline acetyltransferase （CHAT） and acetylcholine esterase （ACHE） kits were provided by Nanjing Jiancheng Bioengineering Institute, China; dopamine （DA） and noradrenalin （NE） standards were provided by the National Institute for the Control of Pharmaceutical and Biological Products; HP1100 chromatograph of liquid was provided by Agllent, USA. METHODS： A total of 24 male, Wistar rats were randomly assigned to 4 groups： sham-surgery, MLR SMAO, and MLR ＋ SMAO groups, with 6 rats in each group. In the MLR or SMAO groups, the mesenteric lymph duct or superior mesenteric artery was blocked for 1 hour. In the MLR ＋ SMAO group, the mesenteric lymph duct and superior mesenteric artery were occluded for 1 hour, followed by 2-hour repeffusion. ChAT and AChE levels were measured using the synthesized and hydrolyzed acetylcholine method, respectively. Liquid chromatography was employed to quantitatively analyze DA and NE levels, using relative retention time and the external standard method. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： CHAT, ACHE, DA, and NE levels. RESULTS： AChE levels were significantly increased, but ChAT levels were significantly decreased in the MLR and MLR ＋ SMAO groups following 2-hour repeffusion （P〈 0.01）. However, AChE activity in the MLR ＋ SMAO group was greater than in the MLR group （P 〈 0.05）. DA and NE levels were significantly decreased in the SMAO and MLR ＋ SMAO groups （P〈 0.01）, while DA levels in the MLR ＋ SMAO group were less than in the SMAO group （P 〈 0.05）. CONCLUSION： MLR exacerbated brain injury in a rat model of SMAO shock, which correlated with the intestinal lymphatic pathway. MLR decreased DA levels, but increased AChE activity, in a rat model of SMAO shock.

Superior mesenteric artery syndrome:Diagnosis and management

Superior mesenteric artery(SMA)syndrome(also known as Wilkie's syndrome,cast syndrome,or aorto-mesenteric compass syndrome)is an obstruction of the duodenum caused by extrinsic compression between the SMA and the aorta.The median age of patients is 23 years old(range 0-91 years old)and predominant in females over males with a ratio of 3:2.The symptoms are variable,consisting of postprandial abdominal pain,nausea and vomiting,early satiety,anorexia,and weight loss and can mimic anorexia nervosa or functional dyspepsia.Because recurrent vomiting leads to aspiration pneumonia or respiratory depression via metabolic alkalosis,early diagnosis is required.The useful diagnostic modalities are computed tomography as a standard tool and ultrasonography,which has advantages in safety and capability of real-time assessments of SMA mobility and duodenum passage.The initial treatment is usually conservative,including postural change,gastroduodenal decompression,and nutrient management(success rates:70%-80%).If conservative therapy fails,surgical treatment(i.e.,laparoscopic duodenojejunostomy)is recommended(success rates:80%-100%).