Operative treatment of superior mesenteric artery syndrome after severe head trauma in a 17-year-old boy: a case report and review of literature

Abstract

Introduction. Superior mesennteric artery syndrome is an uncommon cause of the third part of duodenum obstruction. This can be related to loss of intraabdoominal fat by severe, debilitating illnesses such as malignancy, spinal cord injury etc. As a result, aortomesenteric angle and the distance between the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and aorta are decreasing. The typical symptoms os SMAS are similar to those of incomplete duodenal obstruction, including intermittent abdominal pain, nausea, bilious vomiting. This condition can be diagnosed by the radiologi evidence of vascular obstruction of the third portion of the duodenum using a Barium upper gastrointestinal (UGI) series, computed tomography (CT), CT angiography or magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). The initial treatment of SMAS usually is conservative, but surgical intervention is required in some patients. [...].