Acute mesenteric infarction caused by small vessel disease.

Area of Science:

• Vascular Surgery
• Gastroenterology
• Pathology

Background:

• Acute mesenteric infarction is a critical condition often associated with large vessel thrombosis.
• Small vessel disease as a primary cause of mesenteric infarction is less commonly reported.

Observation:

• A case of acute mesenteric infarction was successfully treated with extensive bowel resection.
• The patient required two surgical operations for management.

Findings:

• Histopathological examination of resected bowel revealed intimal hyperplasia and atherosclerosis in small mesenteric arteries.
• Laboratory findings included thrombocytosis and increased platelet aggregation, suggesting a hypercoagulable state.

Implications:

• This case highlights small vessel disease, specifically intimal hyperplasia and atherosclerosis, as a potential cause of acute mesenteric infarction.
• Hypercoagulability, evidenced by thrombocytosis and platelet aggregation, likely contributed to the thrombotic event.
• Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for diagnosing and managing mesenteric ischemia, particularly in cases without large vessel occlusion.