Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome: Need for an Awareness

Abstract

Superior Mesenteric Artery (SMA) syndrome is an upper gastrointestinal disorder caused by the compression of the third part of the duodenum between Aorta and Superior mesenteric artery. SMA syndrome is a rare pathology with an incidence that ranges between 0.013 and 0.3%. It’s a rare cause of duodenal obstruction which may be complete or partial but is a life-threatening disorder as it poses a diagnostic dilemma. Apatient was admitted in the emergency with complaints of subacute intestinal obstruction along with peritonitis. He underwent exploratory laparotomy along with surgical resection of gangrenous segment.Histopathological examination showed gangrenous bowel, however, no specific cause could be identified. CT findings were reviewed for a possible compression/ obstruction aetiology. It revealed features suggestive of superior mesenteric artery syndrome.