J Korean Acad Rehabil Med.  2009 Dec;33(6):739-741.

Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome in Traumatic Brain Injury: A case report

• Lee JS
• Kim YT
• Jung HC
• Kim SH
• Cho DW
• Kim HS
• Chung YC

Abstract

Superior mesenteric artery syndrome (SMAS) is a rare cause of proximal duodenal obstruction resulting from compression of the duodenum by the SMA against the aorta. Risk factors associated with SMAS are prolonged supine position, weight loss and decreased abdominal wall muscle tone; all of which are frequently accompanied with traumatic brain injury (TBI). The following case report describes a patient who developed SMAS in the setting of TBI. This report presents a 16 year old male with TBI who had postprandial epigastric pain, vomiting and weight loss. Computed tomography and upper gastrointestinal series demonstrated the existence of SMAS. The patient was managed conservatively with total parenteral nutrition to obtain a positive nitrogen balance. Physician should consider SMAS in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with abdominal pain and vomiting.

Keyword

Superior mesenteric artery syndrome; Traumatic brain injury

MeSH Terms

Abdominal Pain
Abdominal Wall
Aorta
Brain
Brain Injuries
Diagnosis, Differential
Duodenal Obstruction
Duodenum
Humans
Male
Mesenteric Artery, Superior
Muscles
Nitrogen
Parenteral Nutrition, Total
Risk Factors
Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome
Supine Position
Vomiting
Weight Loss
Nitrogen