Ultrasonic evaluation of the superior mesenteric artery

✍ Scribed by Barry B. Goldber; Gordon Perlmutter

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1977
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 321 KB
• Volume: 5
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0091-2751
• DOI: 10.1002/jcu.1870050310

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

With the use of gray scale B scan ultrasound, it is now feasible in many cases to detect portions of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) arising from the aorta. Thus, it is possible to measure the aortomesenteric angle an distance. We evaluated a series of patients by ultrasoun to determine the normal values for the SMA angle, distance, and lumen diameter. Patients were also examined who had pathological conditions that might produce an alteration in the angle and distance. Abnormal widening was observed in patients with aortic aneurysms and para‐aortic lymphosaracomatous nodes. In patients suspected of having duodenal ileus, there was evidence of narrowing of the superior mesenteric artery angle and distance. However, a comparable group of asymptomatic patients of the same age showed a similrly narrowed angle and distance. It was thus conlcuded that the narrowing of the aortomesenteric angle and distance is not a cause of duodenal ileus. Knowledge of the SMA and aortic lumen diameter has been helpful in selecting the proper catheter and approach for selective arteriography.