Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome co-occurring with superior mesenteric artery syndrome in adolescents

Both superior mesenteric artery syndrome (SMAS) and cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) may present with abdominal pain, nausea, and emesis - making them difficult to differentiate or determine when they co-occur in adolescents who regularly use cannabis. Here, we present nine cases of CHS co-occurring with SMAS and characterize their clinical courses.

Patients admitted at Children's Hospital of Colorado between January 1, 2015, and March 23, 2023, who had both cannabis use (F12.1-F12.99) and chronic vascular disorders of the intestine (K55.1) on their problem lists were identified from the electronic medical record using ICD 10 codes. Nine met criteria for SMAS and chronic cannabis use.

Six of nine patients were female. The most common presenting symptoms were nausea (9), vomiting (9), and weight loss (9). Four patients received cannabis cessation support. Patients lost a mean of 6.0 kg, had an average body mass index (BMI) of 15.61 percentile (17.7 kg/m²) and BMI Z-scores of -1.5. Symptoms were present for a mean of 19.6 weeks before diagnosis.

Adolescents who experience nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and weight loss in association with chronic cannabis use and/or SMAS can present with confusing and overlapping symptoms. Our cohort was described as having CHS with co-occurring SMAS on imaging. Although the etiology of weight loss cannot be definitively ascertained, we postulate that the recurring emetic attacks from CHS led to weight loss resulting in SMAS. Improvement in diagnostic criteria for this population as well as cannabis cessation programming may aid in deceasing morbidity from these co-occurring conditions.