Superior mesenteric artery syndrome causing gastric outlet obstruction: A myth in acute abdomen

Objective: We aim to report a case of gastric outlet obstruction in adolescence that was diagnosed as a superior mesenteric artery syndrome and treated successfully by gastrojejunostomy. Case report: A 17-year-old female presented to emergency department with acute abdomen. She was also complaint of significant weight loss past 2 months. On clinical examination she was underweight with fullness of upper abdomen down to umbilicus. Oesophagogastroduodenoscopy (OGDS) was performed showed grossly dilated stomach with unable to go beyond D3 region. Contrast Enhanced Computed Tomography (CECT) abdomen suggestive of Superior Mesentery Artery (SMA) syndrome. She was subjected to gastrojejunostomy and recovered well postoperatively. Conclusion: An acute onset of gastric outlet obstruction in adolescence can be a diagnostic and treatment challenging. Our case patient was diagnosed as a SMA syndrome based on the history taking and CT findings. We would like to advocate a high index of suspicious SMA syndrome should be included in an acute abdomen in adolescence besides volvulus and malrotation. The treatment options should be individualized. In this case we opted for a gastrojejunostomy compared to duodenojejunostomy. The decision was made based on the patient nutritional status as patient was low Body Mass Index (BMI) was 16 kg/m2 which carries a high risk of anastomotic leak. Keywords: superior mesenteric artery syndrome; cast syndrome; wilkie’s syndrome; arteriomesenteric duodenal compression; duodenal vascular compression.