Idiopathic mesenteric phlebosclerosis: Clinical and CT imaging characteristics

Abstract

Background: The aim of our study was to evaluate the clinical characteristics and computed tomography (CT) imaging findings of idiopathic mesenteric phlebosclerosis (IMP). Methods: From January 2013 to May 2019, the clinical data of 10 patients diagnosed with IMP were analyzed retrospectively. Computed tomography angiography (CTA) and colonoscopy were performed in all 10 patients. All CT imaging findings were evaluated by three radiologists, including the form and distribution of calcification, the bowel's thickness, and the surrounding fat gap. The calcification score was calculated according to the extent of the involved mesenteric veins. The colonic wall thickness was defined as the average value of the thickest and thinnest regions of the intestinal wall. The correlation between the calcification scores and the colonic wall thickness was analyzed using Spearman's correlation analysis. Results: All 10 patients were male with an average age of 59.6 years (range, 51-83 years). The average smoking index was 712 (range, 0-1,800). Among them, 7 patients had a history of long-term excessive daily intake of medicinal liquor or Chinese herbal medicine. Clinical symptoms of abdominal pain, diarrhea, bloating, and nausea were found. Colonoscopy showed dark purple discolorations of the edematous mucosa, engorged blood vessels, extensive erosion, ulceration, and multi-focal nodular surface in all patients. CT demonstrated colonic wall thickening, calcification along the mesenteric vein, and blurry surrounding fat gap in all 10 patients. Mesenteric venous calcification involved the terminal ileum, the ascending and transverse colon in all patients, and the descending colon and sigmoid colon's involvement in two patients. A total of 33 segments of the intestinal wall were involved. The median calcification score was 6 points, the mean thickness of the colonic wall was 10.73±3.22 mm, and there was no significant correlation (P=0.782) between calcification score and thickness of the colonic wall. Conclusions: The main features of IMP are mesenteric venous calcification, colonic wall thickness, and pericolic fat stranding, and there is no correlation between calcification score and colonic wall thickness. Therefore, CT imaging combined with colonoscopy can improve the diagnostic accuracy of IMP.