Emily S Warncke1, Dorissa L Gursahaney2, Margherita Mascolo3, Elizabeth Dee4. 1. Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, 12631 East 17th Ave MS 8200, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA. Emily.Warncke@ucdenver.edu. 2. Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, 12631 East 17th Ave MS 8200, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA. 3. Alsana: An Eating Recovery Community, 2545 West Hillcrest Drive, Suite 205, Thousand Oaks, CA, 91320, USA. 4. Department of Radiology, Denver Health Medical Center, 777 Bannock Street, Denver, CO, 80204, USA.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To provide a review of the etiology, clinical presentation, and imaging findings of superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome. METHODS: A literature review of 24 relevant articles regarding SMA syndrome was performed. RESULTS: Clinicians and radiologists with a high index of suspicion based on symptomatology may pursue radiologic investigation in the form of upper gastrointestinal (GI) series and contrast-enhanced abdominal computed tomography (CT). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound (US) are less commonly utilized modalities in the work-up of SMA syndrome, but provide imaging alternatives without the use of ionizing radiation. Imaging can assist in diagnosis by demonstrating characteristic findings of reduced aortomesenteric angle, reduced aortomesenteric distance, gastroduodenal distention, bowel caliber narrowing at the takeoff of the superior mesenteric artery from the aorta, as well as delayed gastric emptying or positional obstruction observed with real time with fluoroscopy. CONCLUSION: SMA syndrome is a rare disease that can go unrecognized and undiagnosed, exacerbating weight loss in an already significantly malnourished patient population. The diagnosis of SMA syndrome must be based on clinical symptomatology correlated with radiographic information. Once diagnosed, SMA syndrome can be safely treated by conservative measures although occasionally requires invasive intervention in the form of enteral tube placement, percutaneous jejunostomy tube placement, total parenteral nutrition, ligament of Treitz lysis, or duodenojejunostomy.
PURPOSE: To provide a review of the etiology, clinical presentation, and imaging findings of superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome. METHODS: A literature review of 24 relevant articles regarding SMA syndrome was performed. RESULTS: Clinicians and radiologists with a high index of suspicion based on symptomatology may pursue radiologic investigation in the form of upper gastrointestinal (GI) series and contrast-enhanced abdominal computed tomography (CT). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound (US) are less commonly utilized modalities in the work-up of SMA syndrome, but provide imaging alternatives without the use of ionizing radiation. Imaging can assist in diagnosis by demonstrating characteristic findings of reduced aortomesenteric angle, reduced aortomesenteric distance, gastroduodenal distention, bowel caliber narrowing at the takeoff of the superior mesenteric artery from the aorta, as well as delayed gastric emptying or positional obstruction observed with real time with fluoroscopy. CONCLUSION:SMA syndrome is a rare disease that can go unrecognized and undiagnosed, exacerbating weight loss in an already significantly malnourished patient population. The diagnosis of SMA syndrome must be based on clinical symptomatology correlated with radiographic information. Once diagnosed, SMA syndrome can be safely treated by conservative measures although occasionally requires invasive intervention in the form of enteral tube placement, percutaneous jejunostomy tube placement, total parenteral nutrition, ligament of Treitz lysis, or duodenojejunostomy.
Authors: Renato Farina; Francesco Aldo Iannace; Pietro Valerio Foti; Andrea Conti; Corrado Inì; Federica Libra; Luigi Fanzone; Maria Enza Coronella; Serafino Santonocito; Antonio Basile Journal: Am J Case Rep Date: 2020-04-22
Authors: Roberto Cantella; Giuseppe Evola; Cristina Di Fidio; Marianna Iudica; Marco Patanè; Luigi Piazza Journal: Int J Surg Case Rep Date: 2022-04-06
Authors: Khawaja B Waheed; Waseem Jan Shah; Arifa Jamal; Hassan R Mohammed; Bilal Altaf; Muhammad Amjad; Muneerah Al Bassam; Doaa H Almutawa; Zechariah J Arulanantham Journal: Saudi Med J Date: 2021-10 Impact factor: 1.422