The causes of misdiagnosis of acute superior mesenteric artery embolism and the strategy: An analysis of 9 cases

Objective To explore the causes of misdiagnosis of acute superior mesenteric artery embolism.Method Nine cases of acute superior mesenteric artery embolism from 1987 to 1999 were analyzed retrospectively.Result Two cases were diagnosed at present to the clinic, 5 cases were diagnosed before operation, and 4 cases were misdiagnosed. Three cases were alive and 6 cases died with the mortality being 6.3% .Conclusions The causes of misdiagnosis of acute superior mesenteric artery embolism are as follows: ①Acute superior mesenteric artery is lack of specific symptoms at early stage. ②The doctors are lack of enough recognition to this disease. ③There are no convenient and accurate diagnostic methods for this disease. ④The time for operation is mot appropriate.