Chronic mesenteric ischemia in childhood and adolescence

Chronic mesenteric ischemia is uncommon in the atherosclerotic age group but is particularly rare in childhood. Because of the nonspecific nature of symptoms produced and absence of pathognomonic findings by physical examination or by routine laboratory testing, its recognition is difficult and its true incidence is unknown. Four children treated for chronic mesenteric ischemia in our center demonstrated the spectrum of clinical presentations and operative considerations important in the management of this uncommon malady. Ages at presentation ranged from 30 months to 17 years. These presentations ranged from clinically silent ischemia in the 30-month-old child to evolving gastrointestinal infarction in the 17-year-old adolescent. Coexistence of abdominal aortic coarctation and/or renal artery stenoses was present in three of the four children. Successful bowel revascularization was achieved by superior mesenteric artery revascularization alone in three children (reimplantation in two and a bypass in one) and by multiple celiac and superior mesenteric artery bypasses in one. Delayed distal small bowel and proximal colonic resection was required in one child. This experience increases awareness that mesenteric ischemia does occur in childhood and is a rare but potentially lethal cause of abdominal complaints in children. Finally, the finding of both renal and visceral artery disease in three of the four patients underscores the need for adequate evaluation of mesenteric vessels before renovascular procedures are undertaken in this age group.