The Wilkie's Syndrome which Disguised As Anorexia Nervosa: A Case Report

Abstract

Abstract Wilkie's Syndrome (WS), Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome or aortomesenteric clamp is an infrequent cause of high intestinal obstruction that is produced by an angular constriction (< 25º) between the superior mesenteric artery and abdominal aorta, resulting in a compression of the third duodenal portion. Its incidence is estimated around 0.013-0.3% in general population, as it is more common in women between 10-39-years. This pathology produces unspecific gastrointestinal symptoms, turning diagnostic suspicion really important, due to its critical complications. The case of a 15-year old woman is presented, who is admitted in an acute child psychiatric hospitalisation unit because she displays eating disorder symptomatology in the previous months. Initially she is suspected for suffering Anorexia Nervosa (AN) but according to the rapid general deterioration that she suffers the case is profoundly studied and eventually diagnosed as a Wilkie's Syndrome case, based on an exhaustive complementary test battery. This case shows the importance of the diagnostic suspicion of this entity and the relevance of making a proper differential diagnosis in Eating Disorders (ED).