About this Research Topic
Acute mesenteric infarction (AMI) is a rare cause for acute abdominal pain. Due to its misleading clinical presentation oftentimes it is not part of the primary differential diagnosis. Furthermore, no specific serological parameters with sufficient diagnostic value exist. Hence, diagnosis is very often established with a relevant delay of time and therefore, appropriate therapeutic steps do not improve patient outcome. All this still leads to high mortality rates of up to 80% and survivors very often suffer from short bowel syndrome with long term parental nutrition, leading to subsequent rehospitalizations and morbidity.
In recent years several serological markers have been suggested to secure the diagnosis of AMI, such as l-lactate, leukocyte populations, and intestinal fatty-acid binding protein (iFABP), but none of them were specific enough. In contrast, radiomics seem to offer diagnostic features that go beyond the standard CT angiography images and that might offer additional details on patient prognosis or best treatment modalities. Additionally, the current advances in endovascular therapy offer potential benefits for embolectomy in the case of visceral artery occlusion. Controversy exists on the best treatment option. With regard to the intraoperative imaging in order to distinguish vital intestinal segments from already necrotic intestine that needs to be resected, a few promising methods can be found in literature. However, no large scale studies have been performed in order to evaluate their potential improvement of survival or short bowel syndrome.
We welcome all studies on the topic of acute mesenteric ischemia that focus on novel diagnostic tool, therapeutic strategies or algorithms in the field of acute mesenteric ischemia. Also, we would encourage researchers who are working on preclinical models that simulate intestinal ischemic necrosis and subsequent biomarkers.
In recent years several serological markers have been suggested to secure the diagnosis of AMI, such as l-lactate, leukocyte populations, and intestinal fatty-acid binding protein (iFABP), but none of them were specific enough. In contrast, radiomics seem to offer diagnostic features that go beyond the standard CT angiography images and that might offer additional details on patient prognosis or best treatment modalities. Additionally, the current advances in endovascular therapy offer potential benefits for embolectomy in the case of visceral artery occlusion. Controversy exists on the best treatment option. With regard to the intraoperative imaging in order to distinguish vital intestinal segments from already necrotic intestine that needs to be resected, a few promising methods can be found in literature. However, no large scale studies have been performed in order to evaluate their potential improvement of survival or short bowel syndrome.
We welcome all studies on the topic of acute mesenteric ischemia that focus on novel diagnostic tool, therapeutic strategies or algorithms in the field of acute mesenteric ischemia. Also, we would encourage researchers who are working on preclinical models that simulate intestinal ischemic necrosis and subsequent biomarkers.
Keywords: acute mesenteric infarction, endovascular thrombectomy, intraoperative imaging, damage control surgery, short bowel syndrome
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