Isolated dissection of the superior mesenteric artery: conservative approach in a selected patient

The authors present the case report of effective conservative treatment in a patient with spontaneous, self-limiting, non-atherosclerotic dissection of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) without fixed obstruction of the vessel lumen and signs of intestinal ischemia. Treatment with both anti-coagulant and anti-hypertensive agents succeeded in limiting the progression of intimal dissection and in preventing the potential dramatic sequelae of this rare clinical condition. Conservative treatment of spontaneous SMA dissection may be an alternative to surgery, if residual blood flow is maintained.