Transient ischemic small-bowel ulcers secondary to acute superior mesenteric artery branch thromboembolism diagnosed by double balloon enteroscopy

Abstract

Acute insufficiency of mesenteric arterial blood flow has many etiologies but the mechanism of injury is the same regardless of the cause. Acute mesenteric ischemia is generally diagnosed with computed tomography (CT) imaging [1]. It results in mortality rates exceeding 60 %. Many cases require urgent surgery for the removal of necrotic bowel [2]. Endoscopic images of the ischemic small bowel have rarely been reported [3]. We present a case of multiple jejunal ulcers secondary to acute superior mesentric artery (SMA) branch thromboembolism diagnosed by double balloon enteroscopy.