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Updated: Jul 15, 2026

Multimodality Diagnosis of Mesenteric Ischemia
Published on: July 21, 2023
Small bowel infarcts in Degos disease.
Raghu R Amaravadi1, Tai M Tran, Rachel Altman
1Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Lahey Clinic Medical Center, 41 Mall Road, Burlington, MA 01805, USA. Raghu.r.amaravadi@lahey.org
Degos disease, a rare vasculopathy, can cause serious gastrointestinal complications. This case highlights small bowel infarctions and perforations as a severe manifestation, emphasizing the need for early recognition.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Medicine
- Gastroenterology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Degos disease is a rare idiopathic vasculopathy characterized by multisystemic manifestations.
- It typically presents with characteristic skin lesions, but gastrointestinal and neurological complications can occur.
Observation:
- A previously healthy 40-year-old woman developed small bowel infarctions and perforations.
- These abdominal complications arose 17 months after the initial presentation of characteristic skin lesions.
Findings:
- The case details the abdominal computed tomography (CT) findings associated with Degos disease.
- These specific CT findings in Degos disease have not been previously documented in radiological literature.
Implications:
- This case expands the understanding of Degos disease's gastrointestinal manifestations.
- Radiologists and clinicians should consider Degos disease when encountering similar CT findings in patients with characteristic skin lesions.
- Early diagnosis and management are crucial for improving patient outcomes in Degos disease.
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