Acute small bowel ischemia: spectrum of computed tomographic findings

Acute small bowel ischemia is an important clinical entity with significant morbidity and mortality. Since the clinical presentation is often nonspecific, abdominal computed tomography (CT) is frequently obtained for the evaluation of patients with equivocal or unsuspected intestinal ischemia. In this article, the direct and ancillary CT findings of acute small bowel ischemia are reviewed. Although the individual CT manifestations are rarely specific, awareness of the spectrum of CT findings of small intestinal ischemia can help to suggest the diagnosis and direct appropriate management.