OBJECTIVETo explore the correlation of multi-slice CT findings to the clinical staging and prognosis of intestinal obstruction due to mesenteric blood vessel infarction.

METHODSFifty-four patients with intestinal obstruction resulting from infarction of the mesenteric vein or artery underwent multi-slice CT scanning, and the CT findings were analyzed for their relation with the intestinal ischemia and prognosis.

RESULTSSixteen patients were confirmed to have mesenteric arterial thrombosis (29%) and 40 had mesenteric venous thromboses (71%) by multi-slice CT scanning. The total mortality rate was 29%, of which mesenteric artery infarction took up 87% and mesenteric vein infarction 5%. The prognosis of the patients was closely related to the cause of the bowel infarction. Such CT findings as increased intensity of the intestinal canal and decreased enhancement and thickening of the bowel wall indicated favorable prognosis, whereas the signs of paper-thin wall sign, fecal sign, pneumatosis of the bowel wall, mesenteric veno gas and pneumoperitoneum all suggested poor prognosis.

CONCLUSIONMulti-slice CT scanning can identify mesenteric blood vessel infarction resulting in intestinal obstruction, and the CT signs can offer objective and valuable information for clinical staging and prognostic evaluation.