Background. Superior mesenteric artery syndrome is a rare pathological condition caused by an abnormal transposition of the superior mesenteric artery from the abdominal part of the aorta. It results in compression of the distal part of the duodenum between the aorta and the superior mesenteric artery. It is clinically manifested by signs of acute intestinal obstruction, including pain in the epigastric region, nausea, and profuse vomiting. In the absence of timely treatment, patients may experience electrolyte disturbance, severe nutritional deficiency, the risk of perforation of the stomach, aspiration pneumonia, bezoar formation, thromboembolism, and the development of other life-threatening complications that can lead to death.
Case study. In the presented case study, superior mesenteric artery syndrome developed in a 17-year-old girl after surgical correction of a spinal deformity in the treatment of idiopathic scoliosis. This was due to postoperative loss of body weight, as well as a rapid change in the patients ratio of growth to body weight.
Discussion. Significant clinical improvement was achieved as a result of an integrated approach to the treatment of this complication. However, despite the successful result from conservative therapy, the patient remains at risk of developing chronic duodenal obstruction of varying severity, which may require surgical treatment.
Conclusion. With the untimely and incomplete treatment of superior mesenteric artery syndrome, the risk of developing chronic intestinal obstruction increases. Treatment of this complication begins with conservative therapy. In the absence of the effect of conservative therapy, and in the case of disease progression, the development of life-threatening conditions (such as bleeding and perforation) requires surgical treatment.
Superior mesenteric artery syndrome: A rare but life threatening disease
