Diurnal Fasting During Ramadan Leading to Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome

Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome is a favorite of anatomists and clinicians because it results from extrinsic compression of the duodenum by the 2 vascular structures forming the aortomesenteric angle (the descending abdominal aorta and the SMA). Although it is an uncommon cause of upper gastrointestinal obstruction, SMA syndrome can cause significant morbidity. It is more common in younger people. Historically, it has been associated with weight loss and eating disorders, but there are several other risk factors that should be considered in the workup. Cases of SMA syndrome are typically managed conservatively, but surgical referral and intervention may be considered in situations that fail conservative management. We present a case of this rare syndrome in a young man with no medical or psychiatric history during diurnal voluntary fasting in the month of Ramadan.