Mesenteric Duplex Scanning

Duplex scanning of mesenteric arteries was developed in the late 1980s. It’s primary clinical application is to identify high-grade stenoses in the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and celiac artery that may be associated with the clinical condition of chronic mesenteric ischemia. A peak systolic velocity of >275 cm/s in the SMA identifies a >70% SMA stenosis with a sensitivity of 92%, a positive predictive value of 80% and a negative predictive value of 99%. A negative mesenteric duplex study therefore virtually excludes the presence of clinically important mesenteric artery stenosis. A positive study requires confirmation with an additional imaging study prior to mesenteric artery reconstruction. Other applications of mesenteric duplex scanning include identification of reversible compression of the celiac artery, follow-up of mesenteric bypass grafts and physiological studies of the intestinal circulation.