Abstract
A case of abdominal angina causing ischemic enteritis was experienced. In July, 1990, a 54-year-old man was admitted to a nearby hospital because of the sudden onset of abdominal pain and diarrhea after breakfast. The patient was suspected of Crohn disease, and was discharged from the hospital after successful management with conservative treatment in early in September. After that, the patient was admitted to the department of gastrointestinal medicine of this hospital because of further exploration. An X-ray examination of the small intestine revealed a circumferential narrowness extending about 50 cm at the end of the ileum.
Abdominal angiography showed a stricture at the root of the superior mesenteric artery and stenosis at the middle colic artery and ileocolic artery.
Based on these findings as well as clinical manifestations after the meal, a diagnosis of abdominal angina causing ischemic enteritis was made. Operative procedures included partial excision of the ileum and arterial bypass operations of the right great omental artery and jejunal branch of the superior mesenteric artery. Abdominal angina is rare. If we encounter a patient complaining of abdominal pain of unknown origin, it would be desirable aggrressively to try angiography, entertaining a possible occurrence of this disease.
