[Chronic mesenteric ischemia--a rare differential diagnosis of Crohn disease]

A 59-year-old patient was treated for six years assuming Crohn's disease. Recurrent segmental colitis, spontaneous perforation of the jejunum and chronic weight loss were suggestive of this diagnosis despite a missing typical histology, even in the resected part of jejunum. Only unspecific inflammatory changes were found. Typical angina abdominalis occurred late. Angiography showed a complete occlusion of the coeliacaxis and both mesenteric arteries. Only the slow progress of occlusion of the visceral arteries with extensive collateral circulation from iliacal arteries explains the absence of severe bowel infarction. After aortomesenteric bypass operation the patient is without any complaint.