[Abdominal plain films in mesenterial infarct].

86 plain films of the abdomen from 63 patients with acute mesenteric infarction were compared with plain films of 90 patients with acute abdomen of different origin. The airless abdomen, the increased thickness of the gut wall and the hairpin sign proved tbe nonspecific, but more pronounced and more frequent in mesenteric infarction. Gas in the gut wall and in the portal vein system was found only in mesenteric infarction. All 6 patients with gas in the portal veins died. The airless abdomen in a patient with severe abdominal pain is a surprising finding and points to the possibility of mesenteric infarction.