Superior mesenteric artery syndrome: case report

Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome (SMAS) is caused by trapping of the third part of the duodenum between Superior Mesenteric Artery (SMA) and aorta as result of narrowing of the angle between the two vessels due to acute loss of mesenteric fat which is secondary to rapid weight loss. A fifteen year old caucasian female on a mountain climbing expedition with an acute on chronic upper gastrointestinal obstruction is presented. The diagnosis was confirmed with a barium meal and at surgery, a bypass procedure performed to relieve the obstruction. (East African Medical Journal: 2003 80(6): 334-336