@fabiof

Salve Fabio,

I have not had any genetic testing and have no known connective tissue disease. Since you seem to be interested in a genetic link, I have a family background from Italy as well, mostly in the Tuscan region near the town of Pistoia.

I had not been formally diagnosed with mesenteritis but the superior mesenteric artery which runs in the small bowel mesentery is adjacent to the celiac a. when they both arise from the abdominal aorta.

When my gallbladder attack occurred, I initially and regretfully ignored treatment. I was experiencing episodes of significant pain which I thought was maybe a stomach ulcer as I was going through a personal stressful situation. I eventually sought care and had a CT scan, which showed an inflammed contracted gallbladder with stones, and mild inflammatory stranding around the head of my pancreas and the adjacent celiac artery. Looking back the celiac vessel was very mildly dilated at that time but not enough to be noted on the inital CT. My blood work showed that I had mild pancreatisitis too. its not unusual for gallstones when passing through the bile duct which goes through to pancreatic head to cause inflammation of the pancreas. After my gallbladder was removed, I felt great. I believe the inflammation from the gallbladder inflammed the celiac. artery at that time and weakened it.

But had another CT scan of my abdomen for another reason about 6+ years ago which showed the dissection and aneurysmal dilation which has been stable since on follow up imaging. The story is longer than this for the discovery and diagnosis, but thats pretty much what happened. as an FYI was best detected and evaluated on a CT angiogram study as dissections can be difficult to see on routine CT abdomen . Again I have been subsequently followed by Doppler US to avoid radiation dose and IV dye/contrast administration. I am asymptomatic and pretty healthy otherwise except for high cholesterol which I am taking medication for which is necessary to help prevent further progression.

I get followed for this at Nortwestern University Hospital in Chicago, Mark Eskandari MD Chief of Vascular Surgery, I am very comfortable with his assessement and care, very professional.