Using multiphasic contrast protocols enables reliable imaging of the arterial and venous vessel tree and detection of disorders with high sensitivity and specificity. Multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) is predestined for the diagnostics of vascular diseases of the abdomen. Venous pathologies include thrombotic occlusion of the portal vein, the mesenteric vein and the vena cava. An occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery is the most common reason for acute mesenteric ischemia but intra-abdominal arterial bleeding is also of great importance. A differentiation must be made between arterial and venous diseases. If the cause is a vascular disease a rapid diagnosis is desired as vascular pathologies are associated with high mortality.
Vascular pathologies are rare causes of an acute abdomen. [Klinikum Kempten-Oberallgaeu, Abteilung fuer Radiologie, Kempten (Germany) [Universitaetsklinikum Ulm, Klinik fuer Diagnostische und Interventionelle Radiologie, Ulm (Germany) Aschoff, A.J. Diagnostics of vascular diseases as a cause for acute abdomen Diagnostik vaskulaerer Erkrankungen als Ursache fuer das akute AbdomenĮnergy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)