SUPERIOR MESENTERIC-ARTERY SYNDROME IN A CHILD

Background. - Early diagnosis of superior mesenteric artery syndrome, less frequent in children than in young adults, is improved by the use of ultrasonography and CT scan. Case report. - An eleven year-old boy was admitted because he suffered from bilious vomiting for 24 hours. A diagnosis of superior mesenteric artery syndrome was made from the r esults of plain films of the abdomen, ultrasonography and roentgenogra ms after instillation of dilute barium solution. Diameter of the the l eft renal vein appeared increased. The patient was given fractionated meals and placed in left lateral positon. The CT scan performed 5 days later confirmed the diagnosis but did nor show dilatation of the left renal vein. The patient is well one year later without treatment. Ult rasonography performed 3 hours after a meal showed similar findings to those seen in the acute phase. Conclusion. - Abdominal scanning and u ltrasound are valuable tools for diagnosis of such a syndrome. The dia gnostic value of dilatation of the left renal vein remains to be deter mined.