Spontaneous isolated superior mesenteric artery dissection spiral CT angiography findings

Objective:To analyze the imaging features of spontaneous isolated superior mesenteric artery dissection(SISMAD) depicted by multislice spiral CT computed tomographic(MSCT) angiography.Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the findings of 18 patients suffered from SISMAD from October 2009 to October 2012.The Morphological features of SISMAD(including location of the dissection,dilation of the lumen,and the presence of thrombosis in the false lumen) were analyzed and SISMAD was categorized according to the criteria of Ichiro Sakamoto.Results: The dissection started at approximately(2.74±1.21) cm from the origin of superior mesenteric artery(SMA);dilatation of SMA lumen appeared in 6 cases(33%);the presence of thrombosis in false lumen was found in 11 cases(61%).According to the categorization,5 cases belonged to Type I;4 cases belonged to Type II;3 cases belonged to Type III;6 cases belonged to Type IV.Conclusion: MSCT angiography provided detailed imaging information of SISMAD and was the first choice in the diagnosis of SISMAD.