Superior mesenteric artery syndrome as a rare cause of duodenal obstruction

SUMMARYSuperior mesenteric artery syndrome is a rare cause of duodenal obstruction. The syndrome can present as acute small bowel obstruction or intermittent compression symptoms such as postprandial epigastric pain, fullness or vomiting. The obstruction is caused by compression of the third part of the duodenum against the posterior structures by the narrow- angled superior mesenteric artery. The diagnosis is easily con- fused with gastric outlet obstruction or proximal small bowel obstruction. A high index of clinical suspicion is crucial for diagnosis and computed tomography provides confirmatory evidence. We report two cases of superior mesenteric artery syndrome and a review of the literature for this condition.Key words: Duodenojejunostomy, laparoscopy, superior

RIASSUNTOLa sindrome dell’ostruzione dell’arteria mesenterica superiore raramente causa l’ ostruzione duodenale,la sindrome presenta un quadro acuto con crisi sub occlusive intermittenti associata a vomito e dolore in sede epigastrica. L’ostruzione è causata dalla compressione parziale del duodeno e delle strut- ture associate.la diagnosi si confonde con l’ostruzione gastrica, o ileale. La Tc è decisiva nella conferma del sospetto clinico.viene riportato il caso clinico con una review della lette- rature al riguardo.Parole chiave: Laparoscopia, digunostomia, sams