Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome with Massive Gastric Dilatation

ABSTRACT

Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome is a rare disorder characterized by extrinsic compression of the third portion of the duodenum between the superior mesenteric artery and aorta, resulting in intermittent obstruction, thereby resulting in proximal duodenal and stomach dilatation. Although the most characteristic symptoms are postprandial epigastric pain, fullness, voluminous vomiting, and eructation, severe symptoms including acute massive gastric dilatation to the extent of surgical abdomen was rarely reported. We report a case of SMA syndrome in a 24-year-old patient with an eating disorder. CT and an upper gastointestinal contrast series revealed massive gastric dilatation which induced vascular compressions. Endoscopy showed deep extensive ulcerations of the whole stomach with duodenal necrosis and ischemia, which prompted immediate surgical laparotomy, but no remarkable intra-abdominal peritonitis evidence was noted. We treated the patient conservatively and the patient recovered from all the symptoms.