Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 14, 2026
Multimodality Diagnosis of Mesenteric Ischemia
Published on: July 21, 2023
Early detection of acute mesenteric ischemia using diffusion-weighted 3.0-T magnetic resonance imaging in a porcine
Robin Sebastian Bruhn1, Martina Susanne Distelmaier, Miriam Hellmann-Sokolis
1Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany. rbruhn@ukaachen.de
Purpose:
The aim of this study was to investigate if 3.0-T diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used for early detection of acute occlusive and nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia.
Materials And Methods:
In this study, approved by the official committee on animal affairs, proximal (occlusive) mesenteric ischemia and peripheral (nonocclusive) mesenteric ischemia were induced in 8 and 2, respectively, female domestic pigs. Proximal mesenteric ischemia was induced by intra-arterial injection of n-butyl-cyanoacrylate in the superior mesenteric artery or 1 of its main branches; peripheral mesenteric ischemia was induced by intra-arterial injection of microparticles. Before embolization and at 30-, 60-, and 90-minute intervals after embolization, diffusion-weighted imaging was performed, and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps were calculated on a clinical 3.0-T system. Immediately after the last MRI session, animals were killed to provide a pathological correlation for mesenteric ischemia.
Results:
Ischemic bowel parts appeared hyperintense on diffusion-weighted images and hypointense on the corresponding ADC maps. Mean diffusion-weighted imaging signal intensity increased and ADC decreased significantly within 30 minutes after embolization (P < 0.001) and remained unchanged until 90 minutes after injury, independent of the embolization method.
Conclusions:
3.0-Tesla diffusion-weighted MRI may help detect acute mesenteric ischemia as early as 30 minutes after vessel occlusion.
Insights
3.0-Tesla diffusion-weighted MRI can detect acute mesenteric ischemia within 30 minutes. This advanced imaging technique shows changes in the bowel, aiding early diagnosis of occlusive and nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Gastroenterology
- Vascular Surgery
Background:
- Acute mesenteric ischemia is a critical condition requiring timely diagnosis.
- Early detection of mesenteric ischemia is crucial for improving patient outcomes.
- Current diagnostic methods may have limitations in speed and sensitivity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of 3.0-Tesla diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the early detection of acute occlusive and nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia.
- To determine the time course of imaging changes associated with induced mesenteric ischemia in a porcine model.
Main Methods:
- Occlusive and nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia were induced in domestic pigs.
- Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) mapping were performed at baseline and at 30, 60, and 90 minutes post-induction.
- Pathological correlation was obtained after the final MRI session.
Main Results:
- Ischemic bowel segments showed hyperintensity on DWI and hypointensity on ADC maps.
- A significant increase in DWI signal intensity and a decrease in ADC were observed within 30 minutes of embolization (P < 0.001).
- These changes remained consistent up to 90 minutes post-injury, irrespective of the embolization method.
Conclusions:
- 3.0-Tesla diffusion-weighted MRI shows promise for the early detection of acute mesenteric ischemia.
- This imaging modality can identify ischemic changes as early as 30 minutes after vessel occlusion.
- DWI and ADC mapping may serve as valuable tools for diagnosing acute mesenteric ischemia.
