Imaging diagnosis and treatment of isolated superior mesenteric artery dissection

Isolated superior mesenteric artery dissection (ISMAD) is rarely seen in clinical practice,and its treatment has not been standardized.The clinical data of 3 patients with ISMAD who were admitted to the Yangzhou University from April 2011 to January 2012 were retrospectively analyzed to investigate the imaging diagnosis and treatment of this disease.All the 3 patients received conservative treatment,but the abdominal pain was not alleviated or even worsened,and then they received percutaneous endovascular reconstruction with bare stent implantation.Antiplatelet therapy and anticoagulation after stent placement were given to the 3 patients after stent placement.Seven bare stents were implanted.The abdominal pain was alleviated and disappeared gradually within 3 days.Computed tomography angiography showed complete resolution of the dissection and false lumen with sufficient flow of in-stent and superior mesenteric artery.Percutaneous endovascular reconstruction with bare stent implantation is a effective and reliable treatment method for ISMAD. Key words: Superior mesenteric artery dissection; Bare stent;  Vascular reconstruction