Superior mesenteric artery syndrome: a rare case of upper gastrointestinal obstruction

Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) or Wilkie's syndrome is a rare clinical entity of partial or complete duodenal obstruction. The pathogenic mechanism is an acute angulation of the SMA which leads to compression of the third part of the duodenum between the SMA and the aorta. This is commonly due to loss of fatty tissue as a result of a variety of debilitating conditions. Its treatment is initially conservative and in case of failure, surgical therapy is unavoidable. We present a case of a 68-year-old female patient who presented in our Department with symptoms of dehydration after persistent vomiting for months. After complete radiologic workup, SMA syndrome was diagnosed and was successfully treated operatively. SMA syndrome might be a diagnostic challenge and must be always included in the differential diagnosis of upper gastrointestinal obstruction. Consequently, this paper aims to increase the awareness of a rare entity of duodenal obstruction.