Superior mesenteric artery syndrome: An uncommon cause of intestinal obstruction

Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome is an atypical cause of high inte stinal obstruction, most frequently occurring in patients who have had rapi d weight loss. Identification of this syndrome can be a diagnostic dilemma and is frequently made by exclusion. The most characteristic symptoms are p ostprandial epigastric pain, eructation, fullness, and voluminous vomiting, The symptoms are caused by compression of the third portion of the duodenu m against the posterior structures by a narrow-angled SMA. When nonsurgical management is not possible or the problem is refractory, surgical interven tion is necessary, We report a case of SMA syndrome in a patient without a history of rapid weight loss, The patient complained of early satiety, naus ea, and vomiting of partially digested food worsening over 2 years. Diagnos tic evaluation revealed compression of the third portion of the duodenum by the SMA with resultant proximal dilatation, The patient successfully had d uodenojejunal anastomosis.