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Updated: May 6, 2026
Multimodality Diagnosis of Mesenteric Ischemia
Published on: July 21, 2023
Acute arterial mesenteric ischemia and reperfusion: macroscopic and MRI findings, preliminary report
Luca Saba1, Daniela Berritto, Francesca Iacobellis
1Luca Saba, Department of Radiology, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria di Cagliari, 09045 Cagliari, Italy.
Aim:
To explore the physiopathology and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in an animal model of acute arterial mesenteric ischemia (AAMI) with and without reperfusion.
Methods:
In this study, 8 adult Sprague-Dawley rats underwent superior mesenteric artery (SMA) ligation and were then randomly divided in two groups of 4. In group I, the ischemia was maintained for 8 h. In group II, 1-h after SMA occlusion, the ligation was removed by cutting the thread fixed on the back of the animal, and reperfusion was monitored for 8 h. MRI was performed using a 7-T system.
Results:
We found that, in the case of AAMI without reperfusion, spastic reflex ileus, hypotonic reflex ileus, free abdominal fluid and bowel wall thinning are present from the second hour, and bowel wall hyperintensity in T2-W sequences are present from the fourth hour. The reperfusion model shows the presence of early bowel wall hyperintensity in T2-W sequences after 1 h and bowel wall thickening from the second hour.
Conclusion:
Our study has shown that MRI can assess pathological changes that occur in the small bowel and distinguish between the presence and absence of reperfusion after induced acute arterial ischemia.
Insights
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) effectively detects changes in acute arterial mesenteric ischemia (AAMI) and differentiates reperfusion in animal models. This imaging technique aids in assessing small bowel pathology following ischemia.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Radiology
- Veterinary Medicine
Background:
- Acute arterial mesenteric ischemia (AAMI) is a critical condition affecting the small bowel.
- Understanding the physiopathology and imaging findings of AAMI is crucial for timely diagnosis and treatment.
- Animal models are essential for studying the complex changes associated with mesenteric ischemia and reperfusion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the physiopathology of AAMI in an animal model.
- To evaluate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in AAMI with and without reperfusion.
- To assess MRI's ability to differentiate between ischemic and reperfused states.
Main Methods:
- Eight Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to superior mesenteric artery (SMA) ligation.
- Rats were divided into two groups: 8-hour ischemia (Group I) and 1-hour ischemia followed by 8-hour reperfusion (Group II).
- High-field (7-T) MRI was utilized to assess changes in the small bowel.
Main Results:
- In non-reperfused AAMI, findings included ileus, free abdominal fluid, and bowel wall thinning from 2 hours, with T2-weighted hyperintensity appearing at 4 hours.
- In the reperfusion model, early T2-weighted hyperintensity was observed within 1 hour, followed by bowel wall thickening from 2 hours.
- MRI demonstrated distinct imaging patterns correlating with the presence or absence of reperfusion.
Conclusions:
- MRI is a valuable tool for assessing pathological changes in the small bowel during AAMI.
- MRI can effectively distinguish between acute arterial mesenteric ischemia with and without reperfusion.
- These findings support the use of MRI in preclinical research and potentially in clinical settings for mesenteric ischemia.
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