Objective: To evaluate the value of multi-slice CT angiography (MSCTA) in the diagnosis of super mesenteric artery (SMA) and super mesenteric vein (SMV), and discuss the 3D reconstruction method for detecting mesenteric vessel lesions.
Methods: Thirty-three patients suffering from mesenteric vessel diseases were analyzed. There were 14 SMA lesions, including 9 thromboses, 3 dissecting aneurysms, 1 pseudoaneurysm, and 1 malrotation. There were 19 SMV thromboses. The 3D reconstruction included volume rendering (VR), maximum intensity projection (MIP), and multi-planner reformation (MPR).
Results: The lesions appeared clear by MSCTA in the 33 patients. The SMA thrombosis was shown clear in the MIP in all 9 patients, and only 4 of them were detected in the VR. There was significant difference between MIP andVR in detecting SMA thrombosis (P=0.0294). Three dissecting aneurysms were best shown in the MPR; 1 pseudoaneurysm and 1 malrotation were clearly manifested in the VR. The thrombosis of SMV was clearly shown by both MIP and MPR in all 19 patients. Collateral vessels were clearly shown in the MIP in 12 patients; the collateral vessels were detected by VR only in 5, and the other 7 failed to show the collateral vessels. There was significant difference between the MIP and the VR in showing lateral collateral vessels (P=0.0046).
Conclusion: Both lesions of SMA and SMV can be detected by MSCTA. MIP is an ideal reconstruction method for SMA thrombosis and collateral vessels around the SMV.