Nonocclusive mesenteric ischaemia: think about it

Nonocclusive mesenteric ischaemia (NOMI) is an acute mesenteric circulatory disorder that is not caused by an organic occlusion of blood vessels. It could involve all the abdominal parenchymas and viscera and the whole gastrointestinal tract (from the oesophagus to the rectum), insomuch that the involvement of the entire colon should be considered a distinctive tract in diagnosing this condition in respect of the occlusive forms of ischaemia. The aim of this article is to review the role of imaging in the diagnosis of NOMI and in particular its CT appearances. Recognition of the characteristic CT appearances and the variations associated with a reperfusion event may help in the accurate interpretation of CT in the diagnosis and management of NOMI.