Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome: Diagnosis and Management

Superior mesenteric artery syndrome is a life-threatening rare acquired upper gastrointestinal disorder due to mechanical compression of third part of duodenum by the acute angulation of Superior mesenteric artery, leading to obstruction. Acute loss of intervening mesenteric fat as a result of a variety of debilitating conditions is believed to be the etiologic factor causing the reduced aortomesenteric angle. Abdominal CT angiography showed the dilatation of second part of duodenum and vascular compression of the proximal third part of the duodenum between the aorta and superior mesenteric artery. We report a case of 15 year old young boy who presented with recurrent postprandial pain in the epigastric region, accompanied by epigastric fullness, nausea, postprandial bilious vomiting and weight loss. When conservative measures were ineffective, laparoscopic retrocolic duodenojejunostomy, side to side anastomosis, was performed in the patient to relieve the obstruction. This case report is unusual as it is concerned with the description of a rare disease entity and its radiological appearances for early preoperative diagnosis, better understanding and management of the disease are discussed in the pertinent light of literature.