COVID-19 Associated Mesenteric Ischemia in a Patient from Duhok City, Kurdistan Region of Iraq: A Case Report

Abstract

Introduction: The severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes severe respiratory infection. Gastrointestinal symptoms have been reported in up to 10% of patients. Case Presentation: We here report a case of COVID-19-associated acute mesenteric ischemia in a patient presenting with fever and abdominal pain, deteriorating over a four-day period. The diagnosis was initially missed due to a low suspicion level. COVID-19 infection was confirmed by chest CT scan and RT-PCR. Then the patient underwent an emergency laparotomy showing segmental small bowel ischemia of about 2 meters (between the lower jejunum and upper ileum). Resection of the ischemic segment was performed by end-to-end anastomosis. He was then discharged from the hospital after recovering from COVID-19. Conclusions: The present case report highlights the importance of being vigilant about mesenteric ischemia symptoms in the patients with COVID-19, presenting with progressive abdominal pain for timely ordering appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.