[A case of superior mesenteric artery syndrome caused by anorexia nervosa]

Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome in Anorexia Nervosa: A Case Report and a Systematic Revision of the Literature

BACKGROUND

Superior mesenteric artery syndrome (SMAS) is a rare condition caused by the compression of the duodenum, which may occur in the case of fast weight loss. Currently, the relationship between superior mesenteric artery syndrome and anorexia nervosa is still unclear. The aim of this study is to identify the precocious clinical signs and symptoms of SMAS in patients affected by anorexia nervosa so as not to delay the diagnosis.

METHODS

We present the clinical case of a young female patient with anorexia nervosa complicated by SMAS. We performed a literature review of SMAS in children affected by anorexia nervosa between 1962 and 2023, according to the PRISMA Extension Guide for Scoping Reviews.

RESULTS

Reviewing the literature, 11 clinical cases were described for the pediatric age. The median age at diagnosis was 17 years (ranging from 13 to 18 years). The diagnosis of SMAS may be challenging as symptoms overlap those of anorexia, but it should be kept in mind mostly in cases of post-prandial abdominal pain, anxiety or depression, nausea, vomiting, and weight loss.

CONCLUSION

Even specific clinical symptoms may act as flag tags to drive attention to this rare but potentially fatal condition.

Computed tomography features and surgical treatment of superior mesenteric artery syndrome: A case report

Introduction: Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome is described as compression of the third part of the duodenum between SMA and aorta with resultant obstruction and dilatation of proximal duodenum and stomach. Virtually, any condition associated with weight reduction may predispose the patient to SMA syndrome. Case presentation: A 17-year-old boy complaining from persistent vomiting, dull abdominal pain, anorexia, and weight loss for long time presented to the pediatric surgery department. Computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen was prescribed to look for the cause of persistent vomiting and bulging of the epigastrium. Contrast Enhanced CT revealed decreased aortomesenteric angle and aortomesenteric distance causing compression of third part of duodenum with resultant marked distension of proximal duodenum, stomach, and even esophagus. The patient underwent laparotomic gasterojujenostomy. Conclusion: SMA syndrome is a rare clinical entity. CT can well delineate this abnormality. SMA syndrome can be treated with both conservative and surgical approaches.

Increase body weight to treat superior mesenteric artery syndrome

INTRODUCTION

Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome is a rare cause of duodenal obstruction resulting from vascular compression of the third part of the duodenum in the angle between the abdominal aorta and SMA.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 19-year-old woman with anorexia nervosa with upper gastrointestinal obstruction symptoms resorted to the emergency department. A diagnosis of SMA syndrome was made. Symptoms were solved with conservative treatment aimed at increase body weight.

DISCUSSION

SMA syndrome is most commonly associated with debilitating illnesses. Patients present with acute or insidious upper gastrointestinal obstruction symptoms. Aortomesenteric artery angle of ≤25° is the most sensitive measure of diagnosis. Advances in both enteral and parenteral nutrition led to a shift towards conservative treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Low threshold of suspicion is important to make a timely diagnosis and treatment. A conservative treatment aimed at increasing body weight is the first-line approach, leaving surgical intervention for failure cases.

Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome Treated with Percutaneous Radiologic Gastrojejunostomy

Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome is a rare condition that must be differentiated from other gastrointestinal diseases manifesting as upper abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting. The description of SMA syndrome is compression of the third portion of the duodenum by the SMA and the abdominal aorta. SMA syndrome is managed with nasoenteral nutrition or surgical strategies such as laparoscopic duodenojejunostomy. However, SMA syndrome treated using enteral nutrition by percuta-neous radiologic gastrojejunostomy has not been reported. Here, we report our experience of successfully managing a case of SMA syndrome with percutaneous radiologic gastrojejunostomy.

Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome: Clinical and Radiological Considerations

Background. Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome is a rare condition of duodenal obstruction, caused by the overlying SMA. Aim. To report on our experience with the management of SMA syndrome, drawing the attention to its existence. Material and Methods. We reviewed our records to identify cases diagnosed with SMA syndrome, in the period from October 1995 to January 2012. Results. Seven patients were identified, one male and six females. Their mean age was 17.1 years. Vomiting and abdominal pain were the presenting complaints in all patients and history of weight loss was present in six of them. In no patient was the diagnosis suspected initially on clinical grounds. Only after radiological investigations was the diagnosis declared. Radiology took the form of gastrografin/barium meal only in four patients and both gastrografin/barium meal and computerized tomography scan in the remaining three. Four patients responded to medical treatment and surgery was performed in the remaining three, with open duodenojejunostomy in two patients and laparoscopic dissection of the ligament of Treitz in the third. Long lasting improvement was sustained in all patients except one in the surgery group who, despite initial improvement, still has infrequent attacks of abdominal pain. Conclusion. Although the clinical manifestations of SMA syndrome are shared with many other disease entities, it has unique radiological as well as endoscopic features, which enables a confident diagnosis to be made. Once diagnosed, conservative treatment with nutritional support and positioning should be tried first. In case of unresponsiveness, surgery may give a lasting cure.

Late-onset superior mesenteric artery syndrome four years following scoliosis surgery - a case report

BACKGROUND

Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome has been reported as an uncommon condition of external vascular compression of the SMA particularly after rapid weight loss, body casts, or after corrective surgery for spinal deformities, usually within the first few weeks after surgery.

METHODS

This is a retrospective report of a case of a non-verbal autistic female patient who started to develop SMA syndrome at the age of 16, 4 years after posterior spinal fusion surgery for scoliosis. She was treated conservatively by increasing oral caloric intake, which resulted in increased body weight and relief of symptoms.

RESULTS

Seen at 10 years' follow up, the patient is doing well, and is functional within the limits of her suboptimal cognitive and verbal conditions. She maintains good trunk balance with solid spinal fusion and intact instrumentation at latest follow up.

CONCLUSION

Spinal surgeons should maintain a high index of suspicion for diagnosis of SMA syndrome even years after scoliosis surgery, especially for patients with communication problems, like the case we present here. Appropriate conservative measures can succeed in relieving the symptoms, increasing body weight, and preventing complications including the risk of death.

Optimal duration of medical treatment in superior mesenteric artery syndrome in children

The aim of this study was to investigate the outcome, and optimal duration of medical treatment in children with superior mesenteric artery syndrome (SMAS). Eighteen children with SMAS were retrospectively studied. The data reviewed included demographics, presenting symptoms, co-morbid conditions, clinical courses, nutritional status, treatments, and outcomes. The three most common symptoms were postprandial discomfort (67.7%), abdominal pain (61.1%), and early satiety (50%). The median duration of symptoms before diagnosis was 68 days. The most common co-morbid condition was weight loss (50%), followed by growth spurt (22.2%) and bile reflux gastropathy (16.7%). Body mass index (BMI) was normal in 72.2% of the patients. Medical management was successful in 13 patients (72.2%). The median duration of treatment was 45 days. Nine patients (50%) had good outcomes without recurrence, 5 patients (27.8%) had moderate outcomes, and 4 patients (22.2%) had poor outcomes. A time limit of >6 weeks for the duration of medical management tended to be associated with worse outcomes (P=0.018). SMAS often developed in patients with normal BMI or no weight loss. Medical treatment has a high success rate, and children with SMAS should be treated medically for at least 6 weeks before surgical treatment is considered.

Superior mesenteric artery syndrome: where do we stand today?

BACKGROUND

Most data on large studies of superior mesenteric artery syndrome (SMAS) were published over 30 years ago. New studies are needed so that current medical progress can influence SMAS diagnosis and improve therapeutic outcomes.

METHODS

This study was conducted to report the clinical features and outcomes of SMAS. From January 2000 to December 2009, 80 cases (53 females, median age 28 years) of SMAS were collected retrospectively from seven university hospitals in South Korea.

RESULTS

The median body mass index at diagnosis was 17.4 kg/m(2), with a range of 10-22.1. Forty (50 %) of the 80 SMAS patients had co-morbid conditions including mental and behavioral disorders, infectious disorders, and disorders of the nervous system (21.3, 12.5, and 11.3 %, respectively). Computerized tomography was most commonly (93.8 %) used to diagnose SMAS. The overall medical management success and recurrence rates were 71.3 and 15.8 %, respectively. Surgical management had a high 92.9 % (13/14) success rate. The most common surgical procedure for SMAS was laparoscopic duodenojejunostomy.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the largest case series to document the clinical features and changes in diagnostic modalities, medical and surgical managements, and their outcomes in SMAS patients. Laparoscopic duodenojejunostomy is the preferred surgical procedure when medical management of the disease fails.