Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome: An Unusual Cause of Abdominal Pain

Abstract

Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome is caused by compression of the transverse duodenum at the angle between the aorta and the SMA that may lead to postprandial or constant epigastric pain, nausea, vomiting anorexia and weight loss. The diagnosis is often missed given nonspecific symptoms and low reported prevalence. The authors present a case of a 29-year-old female who presented with seven months of epigastric pain and significant weight loss. The patient was diagnosed with SMA syndrome with the aid of upper endoscopy, upper gastrointestinal barium study and computed tomography imaging.