Understanding Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome: Etiology, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Management.

Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome, also known as Wilkie's syndrome, poses a diagnostic challenge due to its rarity and varied clinical manifestations. This review explores the syndrome's etiology, symptoms, diagnostic challenges, and management strategies. Symptoms range from early satiety to severe abdominal pain, often leading to malnutrition. Diagnosis involves a thorough gastrointestinal evaluation and various imaging modalities. Management includes medical interventions like nasogastric decompression and nutritional support, along with surgical interventions such as duodenojejunostomy. A thorough understanding of SMA syndrome's complexities is crucial for its timely diagnosis and effective management, especially considering its potential overlap with other gastrointestinal disorders or eating disorders. Further research is needed to enhance understanding and improve patient outcomes.

Resectable Distal Duodenal Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumour Presenting with Features of Anaemia.

Although gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) are encountered all along the gastrointestinal tract, duodenal GISTs are uncommon and account for <5% of the cases. A 45-year-old woman presented chiefly with anaemia and associated symptoms, whom on further evaluation was found to have a non-metastatic GIST in the distal duodenum sparing the pancreas and major vasculature. Patient was undertaken for segmental duodenectomy with the help of advanced bipolar energy device (tumour occupying D3-D4 with 1 cm proximal margin and 15 cm jejunum) preserving the pancreas and ampulla with end-to-end duodenojejunostomy with an uneventful postoperative course and clear margins on histopathology. Thus, the patient underwent a less morbid procedure with satisfactory oncological outcome and early resumption of activity. This highlights the need to conduct more trials to gather high level evidence in favour of conservative resection and its oncological adequacy and impact on overall survival and recurrence.

Misdiagnosed superior mesenteric artery syndrome due to diabetic gastroparesis. Case report and literature review.

INTRODUCTION: Superior mesenteric artery syndrome (SMAS) is a rare cause of upper intestinal obstruction. This occurs due to duodenal compression between the superior mesenteric artery and the aorta. Anatomical alterations, eating disorders, after some surgical procedures, and trauma are frequent causes of this rare syndrome. Diabetes is a highly prevalent disease that can cause gastroparesis in up to 12 %. Its association with SMAS is extremely rare and challenging to identify. CASE PRESENTATION: A 32-year-old man experienced nausea and vomiting after diagnosis and treatment for type II diabetes. He was treated for diabetic gastroparesis for 2 years without improvement until he lost 40 kg of weight. After imaging studies, a distance between the superior mesenteric artery and the aorta of 5.3 mm and an angle of 17 degrees were detected, corroborating the diagnosis of SMAS syndrome. Due to medical failure, surgical treatment via duodenojejunostomy was performed. DISCUSSION: Diabetes is a very prevalent disease in the world population that can cause gastrointestinal symptoms. In our patient, diabetic gastroparesis delayed the diagnosis of SMAS until severe symptoms of upper intestinal obstruction and significant weight loss occurred. In our patient, due to medical failure, surgical treatment significantly improved his symptoms and stopped his weight loss. CONCLUSION: Superior mesenteric artery syndrome is a rare syndrome, and challenging to differentiate from diabetic gastroparesis. Delays in management may result in excessive weight loss. Surgical treatment can improve symptoms and weight loss.

Impact of antecolic vs transmesocolic reconstruction on delayed gastric emptying following pancreaticoduodenectomy.

BACKGROUND: Delayed gastric emptying (DGE) is a common complication after pancreaticoduodenectomy. There remains an active debate over the effect of gastrointestinal (GI) reconstruction techniques, such as antecolic (AC) or transmesocolic (TMC) reconstruction, on DGE rates. This study compared the rates of DGE between AC reconstruction and TMC reconstruction after pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy (PPPD) and classic pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained pancreatic surgery database in a single, high-volume center. Demographic, perioperative, and surgical outcome data were recorded from patients who underwent a PD or PPPD between 2013 and 2021. DGE grades were classified using the International Study Group of Pancreatic Surgeons (ISGPS) criteria. Postoperatively, all patients were managed using an accelerated Whipple recovery protocol. RESULTS: A total of 824 patients were assessed, with 303 patients undergoing AC reconstruction and 521 patients undergoing TMC reconstruction. The risk of DGE was significantly greater in patients who received an AC reconstruction than in patients who received a TMC reconstruction (odds ratio [OR], 1.51; 95% CI, 1.07-2.15; P < .05). In addition, AC reconstruction was shown to have a greater incidence of severe DGE (ISGPS grades B or C) than TMC reconstruction, with approximately a 2-fold increase in severe DGE (OR, 1.94; 95% CI, 1.10-3.45; P < .05). Logistic regression and propensity score matching have found increased DGE incidence with AC reconstruction (OR: 1.69 and 1.73, respectively; P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Although the correlation between GI reconstruction methods and DGE remains a subject of ongoing debate, our study indicated that TMC reconstruction may be superior to AC reconstruction in minimizing the development and severity of DGE for patients after PD.

Duodenojejunostomy following failed gastrojejunostomy in superior mesenteric artery syndrome: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome is a rare duodenal-vascular anatomic disorder leading to external compression on the duodenum. The first step of treatment usually is conservative, and in the case of failure, surgical management is the treatment choice. Treatment success with duodenojejunostomy after failure in gastrojejunostomy can show the uniqueness of this article. CASE PRESENTATION: A 14-year-old boy came to our hospital with a complaint of epigastric pain, nausea, bilious vomiting, and weight loss since 6 months ago. Conservation therapy and laparotomic Braun anastomosis and gastrojejunostomy was performed due to the SMA syndrome diagnosis 2.5 months before the admission. At our hospital, an alteration of gastrojejunostomy by duodenojejunostomy employing a diamond-shaped anastomosis between the third portion of the duodenum (D3) and a part of jejunum that was placed 15 cm away from the ligament Treitz was done. A significantly dilated stomach and the first three parts of the duodenum were observed during the procedure. After the second surgical intervention, the general condition of the patient dramatically improved. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Conservative treatment, including nasogastric tube decompression, postural changes, and nutritional support with hyperalimentation, has a variable success rate. However, in some cases, surgery may be necessary. Surgeons prefer laparoscopic duodenojejunostomy due to its outstanding success rate, ranging from 80 % to 100 %. But, in some case reports it is suggested that gastrojejunostomy could be done in cases with severe duodenal dilation instead of duodenojejunostomy. The initial gastrojejunostomy failed because of ongoing symptoms, which was finally revised with a duodenojejunostomy. CONCLUSION: It is suggested to use duodenojejunostomy after failure of gastrojejunostomy or it can be employed as the first surgical option even in cases with severe dilation. Because it is a more efficient correction with fewer complications than gastrojejunostomy.

Laparoscopic lateral duodenojejunostomy for pediatric superior mesenteric artery compression syndrome: a cohort retrospective study.

PURPOSE: There are only a few case reports of laparoscopic lateral duodenojejunostomy (LLDJ) in children with Wilkie's syndrome, also known as superior mesenteric artery compression syndrome (SMAS). We aimed to describe our laparoscopic technique and evaluate its outcomes for SMAS in children. METHODS: From January 2013 to May 2021, SMAS children who received LLDJ were included. The procedure was carried out utilizing the four-trocar technique. The elevation of the transverse colon allows good exposure of the dilated and bulging second and third sections of the duodenum. Using a linear stapler, we established a lateral anastomosis connecting the proximal jejunum with the third part of the duodenum. Following that, a running suture was used to intracorporeally close the common enterotomy. Clinical data on patients was collected for analysis. The demographics, diagnostic findings, and postoperative outcomes were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: We retrospectively analyzed 9 SMAS patients (6 females and 3 males) who underwent LLDJ, aged between 7 and 17 years old. The mean operative time was 118.4 ± 16.5 min and the mean estimated blood loss was 5.6 ± 1.4 ml. There were no conversion, intraoperative complications or immediate postoperative complications. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 6.8 ± 1.9 days and the mean follow-up time was 5.4 ± 3.0 years. During follow-up, seven patients (77.8%) experienced complete recovery of symptoms prior to surgery. One patient (11.1%) still had mild vomiting, which resolved with medication. Another patient (11.1%) developed psychological-induced nausea, which significantly improved after treatment with education, training and diet management. CONCLUSIONS: LLDJ represents a feasible and safe treatment option for SMAS in well-selected children. Further evaluation with more cases and case-control studies is required for the real benefits.

Síndrome de la arteria mesentérica superior o Síndrome de Wilkie. Presentación de tres casos clínicos y revisión de la literatura

Objetivo: Presentar una causa rara de obstrucción duodenal como es el sindrome de arteria mesentérica superior (SAMS). Material y Método: se presentan tres casos clínicos de sindrome de SAMS. Resultados: el tratamiento médico y nutricional fue exitoso en los primeros dos casos, mientras que en el último fue necesario realizar una derivación quirúrgica. Discusión: en este sindrome, el ángulo aortomesentérico normal se encuentra disminuído, causando la compresión de la tercera porción del duodeno entre la aorta y la arteria mesentérica superior. Esto determina una obstrucción duodenal que se ve más frecuentemente en pacientes con pérdida importante y rápida de peso. Esto determina alteraciones hidroelectrolíticas y desnutrición severas. El tratamiento médico consiste en soporte nutricional y corrección de anormalidades hidroelectrolíticas. Los procedimientos quirúrgicos se reservan frente a los casos de falla del tratamiento médico. Conclusión: el SAMS es una entidad poco frecuente y un reto diagnóstico. El cuadro clínico puede ser grave con desnutrición severa y trastornos hidroelectrolíticos que ponen en riesgo la vida del paciente. El soporte hidroelectrolítico y nutricional, junto a la duodenoyeyunostomía, son los tratamientos de elección.

Aim: To present a rare cause of duodenal obstruction known as the superior mesenteric artery syndrome (SMAS). Material and Method: we present three cases of SMAS. Results: medical and nutritional treatment were effective in the first two cases while in the last case, a derivative procedure was necessary. Discussion: in this syndrome, the normal aortomesenteric angle is narrowed, causing compression of the third portion of the duodenum between the aorta and the superior mesenteric artery. This leads to duodenal obstruction more frequently observed in patients with severe and fast weight loss. Medical treatment consists in nutritional support and correction of hydro electrolyte imbalance. Surgical procedures are reserved for cases with failure of medical treatment. Conclusion: SMAS is a rare entity and a diagnosis challenge. Clinical setting may be severe with extreme malnutrition and life-threatening dehydration and electrolyte disorder. Nutritional support, hydro electrolyte correction, combined with duodenojejunostomy, if necessary, are the treatments of choice.

Duodenojejunostomy for endoscopic management of biliary enteric anastomotic stricture inaccessible via balloon-assisted endoscopy: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Stricture formation is a long-term complication of biliary enteric anastomosis (BEA). BEA stricture often causes recurrent cholangitis and lithiasis, can significantly affect quality of life, and promote the development of life-threatening complications. In this report, duodenojejunostomy and subsequent endoscopic management as an alternative surgical technique for strictures of the BEA is described. CASE PRESENTATION: Case 1: An 84-year-old man who underwent left hepatic trisectionectomy for hilar cholangiocarcinoma 6 years prior presented with fever and jaundice. Computed tomography (CT) revealed intrahepatic lithiasis. The patient was diagnosed with postoperative cholangitis secondary to intrahepatic lithiasis. Balloon-assisted endoscopy could not reach the anastomotic site, and stent insertion failed. A biliary access route was hence created via duodenojejunostomy. After the jejunal limb and duodenal bulb were identified, duodenojejunostomy was performed using a side-to-side continuous layer-to-layer suture. The patient was discharged without serious complications. Endoscopic management through duodenojejunostomy was successfully performed, and intrahepatic stones were completely removed. Case 2: A 75-year-old man who underwent bile duct resection for hilar cholangiocarcinoma 6 years prior was diagnosed with postoperative cholangitis due to intrahepatic lithiasis. Removal of the intrahepatic stones was attempted using balloon-assisted endoscopy; however, the endoscope could not reach the anastomotic site. The patient underwent duodenojejunostomy and subsequent endoscopic management. The patient was discharged without complications. Two weeks after the operation, the patient underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiography through the duodenojejunostomy and the intrahepatic lithiasis was removed. CONCLUSIONS: Duodenojejunostomy allows easy endoscopic access to a BEA. Duodenojejunostomy and subsequent endoscopic management may be an alternative treatment option in patients with BEA strictures that are inaccessible via balloon-assisted endoscopy.

Superior mesenteric artery syndrome mimicking gastric outlet obstruction: a case report and a literature review.

Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome, an uncommon cause of intestinal obstruction, may present with clinical features mimicking gastric outlet obstruction. Case presentation: The authors present a case of a 65-year-old gentleman who presented to our institute with complaints of sudden onset abdominal distension and multiple episodes of bilious vomiting for 4 days. On examination, he was cachexic and dehydrated and was diagnosed later with SMA syndrome based on contrast-enhanced computed tomography abdomen findings. Discussion: After the diagnosis of SMA syndrome was made, the patient was planned for the operation. On exploration, a hugely distended stomach dilated first and the second part of the duodenum with SMA compressing the third part of the duodenum was found for which duodenojejunostomy was done. Conclusion: The high degree of suspicion is necessary for cachectic patients presenting with features of gastric outlet obstruction to diagnose SMA syndrome. Physical examination supported by radiological investigations can diagnose SMA syndrome to some extent. Treatment should be focused on relieving obstruction along with fluid and electrolyte resuscitation and nutritional supplementation. Some cases may require surgical correction.

Duodenojejunostomy treatment of groove pancreatitis-induced stenosis and obstruction of the horizontal duodenum: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Groove pancreatitis (GP) is a rare condition affecting the pancreatic groove region within the dorsal-cranial part of the pancreatic head, duodenum, and common bile duct. As a rare form of chronic pancreatitis, GP poses a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for clinicians. GP is frequently misdiagnosed or not considered; thus, the diagnosis is often delayed by weeks or months. The treatment of GP is complicated and often requires surgical intervention, especially pancreatoduodenectomy. CASE SUMMARY: A 66-year-old man with a history of long-term drinking was admitted to the gastroenterology department of our hospital, complaining of vomiting and acid reflux. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed luminal stenosis in the descending part of the duodenum. Abdominal computed tomography showed slight exudation in the descending and horizontal parts of the duodenum with broadening of the groove region, indicating local pancreatitis. The symptoms of intestinal obstruction were not relieved with conservative therapy, and insertion of an enteral feeding tube was not successful. Exploratory laparoscopy was performed and revealed a hard mass with scarring in the horizontal part of the duodenum and stenosis. Intraoperative frozen section analysis showed no evidence of malignancy, and side-to-side duodenojejunostomy was performed. Routine pathologic examination showed massive proliferation of fibrous tissue, hyaline change, and the proliferation of spindle cells. Based on the radiologic and pathologic characteristics, a diagnosis of GP was made. The patient presented with anastomotic obstruction postoperatively and took a long time to recover, requiring supportive therapy. CONCLUSION: GP often involves the descending and horizontal parts of the duodenum and causes duodenal stenosis, impaired duodenal motility, and gastric emptying due to fibrosis.

Which style of duodenojejunostomy is better after resection of distal duodenum.

BACKGROUND: Distal duodenal resections are sometimes necessary for radical surgery, but how to restore duodenal continuity is still unclear. This study aimed at determining which style of anastomosis was more suitable for the duodenojejunostomy after resection of distal duodenum. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively identified 34 patients who underwent distal duodenum resection at our center between January 2014 and December 2021. According to whether the end or the side of the proximal duodenum was involved in reconstruction, duodenojejunostomy were classified as End style (E-style) and Side style (S-style). Demographic data, clinicopathological details, and postoperative complications were analyzed between two groups. RESULTS: Thirteen patients (38.2%) received E-style duodenojejunostomy, and 21 patients (62.8%) received S-style duodenojejunostomy. Comparative analysis showed that in group of E-style, patients had a lower rate of multivisceral resection(5/13 vs 18/21; P = 0.008), delayed gastric emptying (DGE) (1/13 vs 11/21; P = 0.011) and intraperitoneal infection (2/13 vs 12/21; P = 0.03). In this study, the incidence of major complications was up to 35.3% (12/34) and no patient died of complication in perioperative period. In two group, there was no difference in the incidence of major complications (E-style vs S-style: 3/13 vs 9/21; P = 0.292). CONCLUSIONS: The E-style duodenojejunostomy for the reconstruction of distal duodenum resection is safe and feasible. The E-style anastomosis may have potential value in decreasing the occurrence of complications such as DGE and intraperitoneal infection, and the definitive advantages still need to be verified.

Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome: Delayed Diagnosis of a Rare Clinical Entity With a Common Clinical Presentation.

Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome, also known as Wilkie's syndrome, is an uncommon disorder that involves a set of symptoms that primarily includes postprandial pain at times associated with intestinal obstruction. Although a rare disease in the general population, SMA syndrome has a high probability of occurrence in patients who are severely malnourished or have certain debilitating conditions leading to a loss of retroperitoneal fat. Here, we present the case of a 16-year-old male with a one-year history of postprandial abdominal pain associated with nausea, multiple episodes of vomiting, and abdominal distension. Amid a delayed diagnosis and multiple hospital visits, the patient's condition further deteriorated. Thereafter, computed tomography of the abdomen confirmed this rare diagnosis. Because the patient could not be further managed conservatively, laparoscopic duodenojejunostomy was planned and done. This case report highlights the various challenges in diagnosing this disease and highlights the importance of an early diagnosis so that patients can be managed effectively and timely.

Laparoscopic duodenojejunostomy for malignant stenosis as a part of multimodal therapy: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic duodenojejunostomy (LDJ) has become the standard surgical procedure for superior mesenteric artery syndrome due to its sufficient outcome in terms of safety and symptom relief. However, there are only a few reports about LDJ for malignant stenosis and its indication remains uncertain. CASE SUMMARY: A 77-year-old woman with a history of pancreatic cancer (PC) treated with distal pancreatectomy with en bloc resection of the transverse colon 7 mo ago was admitted for recurrent vomiting. Imaging upon admission revealed marked distention of the duodenum and a tumor around the duodenojejunal flexure. She was diagnosed with malignant stenosis caused by local recurrence of PC. LDJ was performed with an uneventful postoperative course, followed by chemotherapy which gave her 10 mo overall survival. CONCLUSION: We think that LDJ is a valuable method for unresectable malignant stenosis around the duodenojejunal flexure as a part of multimodal therapy.

Superior mesenteric artery syndrome in a malnourished female: A rare cause of abdominal pain.

Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome is a rare cause of duodenal obstruction that can go undiagnosed, exacerbating weight loss in an already significantly malnourished patient. Diagnosis is often challenging, however, can be made by keeping a high index of suspicion based on the clinical presentation. The pathology involves a reduction in the amount of fat pad between the abdominal aorta and superior mesenteric artery (SMA) leading to a reduction of aorto-mesenteric angle and consequent compression of mostly third part of the duodenum. Management is usually conservative, however, if conservative treatment fails, surgical intervention is warranted. Our patient was a 20-year-old female who presented to us with nausea, vomiting, weight loss, and abdominal pain. The presence of obstructive symptoms along with imaging (CT scan) lead to the diagnosis of SMA syndrome and she improved with conservative management. Informed consent was obtained for this study.

The Clinical Value of Serial Radionuclide Gastric-Emptying Scintigraphy for Objective Evaluation of Gastroparesis in a Patient with Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome Post Corrective Surgery.

Superior mesenteric artery syndrome is a rare cause of intestinal obstruction. The condition results from compression of the duodenum between the aorta and the superior mesenteric artery, which causes an impairment of gastric emptying and associated chronic symptoms. There is a need to objectively assess the severity of gastric-emptying disorder in these patients post-treatment to assess the efficacy of the conservative or surgical management. We report here a case of a patient where the radionuclide gastric-emptying study was crucial in monitoring the effectiveness of surgical management of this syndrome.

Single-Port Laparoscopic Duodenojejunostomy Employing Semi-Kocherization for a Young Female with Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome.

Single-port laparoscopic duodenojejunostomy employing semi-Kocherization performed for a patient with superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome is presented in this report. A 24-year-old woman missed meals due to work pressure, and her body weight decreased from 42 kg to 27 kg within 6 months. After this severe weight loss, she suffered from postprandial abdominal pain. An enhanced computed tomography revealed that the aortomesenteric angle was 11° (narrow), and the distance was short at 4.5 mm. Duodenography also revealed dilatation of the proximal duodenum. These findings led to a diagnosis of SMA syndrome, and we performed single-port laparoscopic duodenojejunostomy. We first dissected the fusion between the duodenum and transverse mesocolon, such as Kocherization, enough to mobilize the duodenum; this procedure was termed semi-Kocherization. A gauze was placed in the dissected space for a landmark from the transverse mesocolon side. We confirmed the gauze at the duodenum's lateral side, then opened the transverse mesocolon, and pulled the duodenum out. We performed side-to-side duodenojejunostomy. The postoperative course was unremarkable, and she gained 4 kg within 2 months of discharge. Semi-Kocherization is shown to be an effective technique to increase duodenal mobility for performing anastomosis, and single-port laparoscopic surgery can reduce wounds and increase cosmesis.

Surgical Treatment of Wilkie's Syndrome by Vascular Transposition.

Introduction Superior mesenteric artery syndrome (SMAS), also called mesenteric duodenal compression syndrome, Wilkie's syndrome, chronic duodenal ileus or cast syndrome, is a rare clinical condition defined as a compression of the third portion of the duodenum in between the SMA and abdominal aorta (AA), due to narrowing of the space between them. SMAS is primarily attributed to loss of the intervening mesenteric fat pad, leading to partial or complete duodenal obstruction. Its manifestations are complex and non-specific, including postprandial epigastric pain, nausea, vomiting, early satiety, weight loss and anorexia. SMAS may present as an acute syndrome, or it may have an insidious onset with chronic symptoms. SMAS mainly affects females between 10 and 40 years of age. This study aims to discuss the safety and efficacy of vascular decompression of the duodenum by infrarenal transposition of SMA. Methods This single-centre prospective clinical study analysed 37 patients with Wilkie's syndrome who underwent infrarenal transposition of the SMA between January 2012 and December 2021. The indications for the surgery were severe weight loss, uncontrolled upper abdominal pain, vomiting and other gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms that were severely debilitating to patients' daily lives, along with radiological findings such as aortomesenteric angle < 25°, aortomesenteric distance <8 mm and distention of proximal part of the duodenum and the stomach. Ten patients (27%) concurrently had Nutcracker syndrome and seven patients (18.9%) had Dunbar syndrome (median arcuate ligament syndrome). Three female patients (8.1%) had all three above-mentioned vascular compression syndromes, which were treated in the same surgery. One male patient (2.7%) was after a laparoscopic duodenojejunostomy with symptoms that relapsed three months postoperatively, which was cured after the infrarenal transposition of SMA. Results Technical operative and clinical success were achieved in all patients. There were no cases of anastomotic failure, SMA thrombosis or intestinal ischemia. All of the patients are currently living symptom-free. One patient (2.7%), four days postoperatively, had a lymphocele formed in the retroperitoneum, which was successfully drained by a CT-guided percutaneous pigtail catheter. Another patient (2.7%) after three months of surgery needed a re-laparotomy for adhesive obstruction of the second part of the duodenum and was treated by adhesiolysis and omentoplasty. One patient (2.7%), 2-year postoperatively, had a proximal SMA stenosis up to 60% where drug-eluting balloon percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (DEB PTA) was performed successfully. Finally, the upper GI symptoms were resolved in all 37 patients (100%). Conclusion Wilkie's syndrome, although rare, is frequently late-diagnosed or underdiagnosed. In cases of failure of conservative therapy, infrarenal transposition of the SMA can be considered a safe and feasible surgical option with more physiologically favourable outcomes comparable to gastrointestinal bypasses, especially in patients concurrently suffering from Nutcracker syndrome. Simultaneously, it also restores physiologic duodenal passage of gastroduodenal content without the need of creating a digestive tract anastomosis. To our best knowledge, we have the highest number of SMA transposition surgeries performed in a single centre for the treatment of Wilkie's syndrome.

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.

When You Hear Hoofbeats, Think of Zebras: An Autobiographical Case Report of Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome.

Superior mesenteric artery syndrome (SMAS) is a rare, potentially fatal condition that presents with nonspecific gastrointestinal symptoms. Patients often improve clinically following treatment, but complete symptom resolution is challenging to attain. This case report describes the author's 10-year experience with SMAS following the onset of symptoms at the age of 16 years, as well as sequential diagnoses related to her course of SMAS. Treatment outcomes in the literature, as well as the author's experience with diagnosis and treatment, will be discussed.

Síndrome de Wilkie / Managment of a Patient with a Diagnosis of Wilkie Syndrome

Introducción: El síndrome de Wilkie es una causa infrecuente de obstrucción intestinal alta, debido a una compresión del duodeno entre la aorta abdominal y la arteria mesentérica superior, de diagnóstico preoperatorio difícil. El estudio baritado y la arteriografía son las pruebas diagnósticas por excelencia. Se ha invocado un manejo conservador en individuos con poco tiempo de evolución. Sin embargo, aquellos con enfermedad crónica habitualmente requieren corrección por medio de la intervención quirúrgica. Objetivo: Exponer el tratamiento de un paciente con diagnóstico de síndrome de Wilkie. Caso clínico: Masculino de 57 años con síndrome emético y pérdida ponderal más de 3 meses de evolución. La gastroduodenoscopia mostró dilatación de la segunda porción duodenal por probable comprensión extrínseca y la serie contrastada reveló stop a nivel de la unión duodenoyeyunal. Se realizó una duodenoyeyunostomía latero-lateral transmesocólica, sin drenaje de vecindad con evolución favorable. Conclusiones: Un alto índice de sospecha se requiere para un diagnóstico acertado de esta entidad. La duodenoyeyunostomía es el proceder quirúrgico que ofrece mejores resultados(AU)

Introduction: Wilkie syndrome is a rare cause for upper intestinal obstruction, due to a compression of the duodenum between the abdominal aorta and the superior mesenteric artery, of difficult preoperative diagnosis. Barium study and arteriography are the gold-standard diagnostics. Conservative management has been preferred in individuals with short time of evolution. However, those with chronic disease usually require correction by surgical intervention. Objective: To present the management of a patient diagnosed with Wilkie syndrome. Case report: A 57-year-old male patient with emetic syndrome and weight loss of more than three months of evolution. Gastroduodenoscopy showed dilatation of the second duodenal portion due to probable extrinsic compression, while the contrast series revealed stop at the duodenojejunal junction. A transmesocolic latero-lateral duodenojejunostomy was performed, without neighboring drainage and with favorable evolution. Conclusions: A high index of suspicion is required for an accurate diagnosis of this entity. Duodenojejunostomy is the surgical procedure that offers the best outcomes(AU)