An unusual cause of abdominal pain: Case report of a Superior Mesenteric Artery syndrome

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Superior Mesenteric Artery (SMA) syndrome is an occlusive vascular disease, mainly caused by a severe weight loss that leads to a reduction of the fatty cushion around the SMA. Postprandial abdominal pain, early satiety, vomits, weight loss and malnutrition are the main symptoms of SMA syndrome. Therapy consists of nutritional support, while mini-invasive surgery is indicated when conservative measures are unsuccessful. CASE PRESENTATION: A 39-years old caucasian woman reported the following symptoms: epigastric pain irradiated up to the right hypochondrium, late post-prandial vomiting and severe weight loss. During previous hospitalizations a gastroscopy, a colonoscopy, and radiographic study of food transit were performed, these exams showed a slow gastric emptying. We performed an abdomen CT scan discovering SMA syndrome typical features. A duodenojejunostomy was performed in videolaparoscopy; the procedure was completed easily without complications. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Debilitating conditions with severe weight loss or anatomic abnormalities are the main causes of SMA syndrome. Symptoms are usually unclear and non-specific. The commonest SMA syndrome features are highlighted with contrast CT. This syndrome is often misunderstood and not considered in differential diagnosis of abdominal pain, determining a delay in diagnosis and further weight loss. An early diagnosis is useful to choose the best treatment of the case. For severe cases, surgery represents the best treatment, especially duodenojejunostomy that is usually linked to rapid symptoms' resumptions without post-operative consequences. CONCLUSION: SMA syndrome should be included in differential diagnosis of abdominal pain. Severe cases can be treated with mini-invasive surgery.