Study Of 18 Cases Of Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome At Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract

Background: Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome is a rare condition of duodenal obstruction, caused by the overlying SMA. Objective: To report on our experience with the management of SMA syndrome, drawing attention to its existence. Material And Methods: We reviewed our records to identify cases diagnosed with SMA syndrome, in the period from january 2010 to June 2018. Results: Eighteen patients were identified, six male and twelve females.Vomiting and abdominal pain were presenting complaints in all patients and history of weight loss was present in all of them. Only after radiological investigations was the diagnosis declared. Either Barium meal studies or computerized axial tomography (CT) scans with oral contrast was done. Surgery was performed in all patients with open duodenojejunostomy. Long lasting improvement was sustained in all patients except three in the surgery group who, despite initial improvement, still has infrequent attacks of abdominal pain. Interpretation and 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 should be tried first. In case of unresponsiveness, surgery may give a cure. [Suthar K Natl J Integr Res Med, 2020; 11(1):45-48]