Vasculitis of the mesenteric circulation

Matthew J Koster; Kenneth J Warrington

doi:10.1016/j.bpg.2016.12.003

Vasculitis of the mesenteric circulation

Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol. 2017 Feb;31(1):85-96. doi: 10.1016/j.bpg.2016.12.003. Epub 2017 Jan 5.

Authors

Matthew J Koster¹, Kenneth J Warrington²

Affiliations

¹ Division of Rheumatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Electronic address: koster.matthew@mayo.edu.
² Division of Rheumatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Electronic address: warrington.kenneth@mayo.edu.

PMID: 28395792
DOI: 10.1016/j.bpg.2016.12.003

Abstract

Vasculitis of the mesenteric circulation is an uncommon but life-threatening manifestation of systemic vasculitis. Initial symptoms are frequently non-specific and therefore patients often present to primary care physicians and gastroenterologists with abdominal pain or gastrointestinal bleeding. Given the severity of the conditions associated with mesenteric vasculitis, it is imperative to appropriately diagnose and initiate treatment of suspected cases. This review will focus on diseases commonly associated with vasculitis of the mesenteric vessels. Imaging characteristics and clinical features assisting in diagnosis as well as initial approaches to treatment are emphasized.

Keywords: Autoimmune diseases; Gastrointestinal diseases; Mesentery; Vasculitis.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Autoimmune Diseases
Gastrointestinal Diseases
Humans
Splanchnic Circulation*
Vasculitis / etiology*