Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome: Report of three cases

ABSTRACT

Superior mesenteric artery syndrome is a rare clinical disease in Korea. The authors experienced three cases of the superior mesenteric artery syndrome. All of patients complained of continuos bilious vomiting, epigastric discomfort, epigastric fullness, and weight loss. The superior mesenteric artery syndrome was diagnosed preoperative, by using physical examination, gastrofiberscopy, upper gastrointestinal series, abdominal computerized tomography (CT), and spiral CT angiogram. We performed a Roux-en-Y duodenojejunostomy. We measured the angle between the aorta and that superior mesenteric artery by using a spiral CT angiogram. The angles were 10o, 11o, and 11o. Postoperatively they were improved. A spiral CT angiogram was a noninvasive method of diagnosing the superior mesenteric artery syndrome compared with a femoral angiography. The Roux-en-Y duodenojejunostomy was the proper method of treatment for the superior mesenteric artery syndrome.