Mesenteric ischaemia: a multidisciplinary approach

Mesenteric ischaemia may result from a wide range of pathological processes, each possessing unique clinical features, diagnostic difficulties, management strategies and outcome. Regardless of aetiology, prognosis depends crucially on rapid diagnosis and institution of treatment to prevent, or at least to minimize, bowel infarction. Progress in understanding the pathophysiology of mesenteric ischaemia has led to novel methods of treatment, so that in some circumstances therapy may be purely medical. More often surgery is required and is frequently life saving. Percutaneous transcatheter techniques are increasingly employed in both diagnosis and treatment. Close cooperation between radiologists, physicians and surgeons is therefore necessary if clinical outcome is to be optimized. This paper reviews the modern interdisciplinary management of mesenteric ischaemia in the light of recent advances.