scholarly journals Epigastric Pain and Weight Loss – A Case of Wilkie’s Syndrome

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Lima Silva ◽  
Daniela Antunes ◽  
Joana Cordeiro Cunha ◽  
Renato Nogueira ◽  
Diana Fernandes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Superior Mesenteric Artery ◽  
Mesenteric Artery ◽  
Epigastric Pain ◽  
Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽  
Laboratory Findings ◽  
Wilkie’S Syndrome ◽  
Sma Syndrome ◽  
Computed Tomography Enterography ◽  
History Of

Superior mesenteric artery syndrome (SMA syndrome) or Wilkie’s syndrome is a rare etiology of duodenal obstruction due to compression of the third portion of the duodenum between the superior mesenteric artery and the aorta. Physical and laboratory findings are often non-specific but imaging methods are useful for diagnosing the condition. A 46-year-old female patient presented to the outpatient clinic of our internal medicine department with a 2-year history of epigastric pain, nausea, early satiety and weight loss of 15 kg. Previous studies were inconclusive. The patient underwent computed tomography enterography and its findings were consistent with SMA syndrome. Currently the patient is being followed by General Surgery and Nutrition and is under nutritional measures in order to optimize her body mass index to decrease possible surgical complications.This case report emphasizes the importance of clinical suspicion and careful investigation when considering less common etiologies for frequent gastrointestinal symptoms.

scholarly journals Superior mesenteric artery syndrome: a single centre experience of laparoscopic duodenojejunostomy as the operation of choice

2017 ◽  
Vol 99 (6) ◽  
pp. 472-475 ◽  
Author(s):  
GC Kirby ◽  
ER Faulconer ◽  
SJ Robinson ◽  
A Perry ◽  
R Downing
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Superior Mesenteric Artery ◽  
Mesenteric Artery ◽  
Epigastric Pain ◽  
Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome ◽  
Team Approach ◽  
The Third ◽  
Wilkie’S Syndrome ◽  
Sma Syndrome ◽  
Open Gastrojejunostomy

INTRODUCTION The superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome, or Wilkie’s syndrome, is a rare cause of postprandial epigastric pain, vomiting and weight loss caused by compression of the third part of the duodenum as it passes beneath the proximal superior mesenteric artery. The syndrome may be precipitated by sudden weight loss secondary to other pathologies, such as trauma, malignancy or eating disorders. Diagnosis is confirmed by angiography, which reveals a reduced aorto-SMA angle and distance, and contrast studies showing duodenal obstruction. Conservative management aims to increase intra-abdominal fat by dietary manipulation and thereby increase the angle between the SMA and aorta. Where surgery is indicated, division of the ligament of Treitz, anterior transposition of the third part of the duodenum and duodenojejunostomy have been described. METHODS We present four cases of SMA syndrome where the intention of treatment was laparoscopic duodenojejunostomy. The procedure was completed successfully in three patients, who recovered quickly with no short-term complications. A fourth patient underwent open gastrojejunostomy (complicated by an anastomotic bleed) when dense adhesions prevented duodenojejunostomy. CONCLUSIONS The superior mesenteric artery syndrome should be considered in patients with epigastric pain, prolonged vomiting and weight loss. Laparoscopic duodenojejunostomy is a safe and effective operation for management of the syndrome. A multi-speciality team approach including gastrointestinal, vascular and radiological specialists should be invoked in the management of these patients.

scholarly journals A Model Example: Coexisting Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome and the Nutcracker Phenomenon

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Nunn ◽  
Jaimie Henry ◽  
Alistair A. P. Slesser ◽  
Rukshan Fernando ◽  
Nebil Behar
Keyword(s):  
Superior Mesenteric Artery ◽  
Mesenteric Artery ◽  
Epigastric Pain ◽  
Left Renal Vein ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
External Compression ◽  
Nutcracker Phenomenon ◽  
Narrow Angle ◽  
Sma Syndrome ◽  
History Of

Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome is a rare cause of gastrointestinal obstruction, caused by external compression of the third part of the duodenum by the SMA. It may be associated with the Nutcracker phenomenon: external compression of the left renal vein. To our knowledge, there are few reports in the literature describing the coexistence of these two conditions and so we take this opportunity to highlight a rare cause of the acute abdomen that might otherwise be overlooked in cases of nonspecific abdominal findings and potentially unremarkable initial investigations. We report a case of SMA syndrome and Nutcracker phenomenon in a 19-year-old female who presented to our emergency department with a short history of epigastric pain and emesis. The SMA syndrome is thought to develop as the result of an abnormally narrow angle between the proximal SMA and the aorta, for which a number of predisposing factors have been described. Surgical options exist; however, the SMA syndrome is typically managed conservatively in the first instance, consistent with the approach described in this case. The Nutcracker phenomenon may give rise to the Nutcracker syndrome in the presence of typical clinical manifestations; however, these did not feature in this case.

scholarly journals A clinical course of a patient with anorexia nervosa receiving surgery for superior mesenteric artery syndrome

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ken Kurisu ◽  
Yukari Yamanaka ◽  
Tadahiro Yamazaki ◽  
Ryo Yoneda ◽  
Makoto Otani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Anorexia Nervosa ◽  
Superior Mesenteric Artery ◽  
Mesenteric Artery ◽  
Rare Complication ◽  
Nutrition Therapy ◽  
Psychological Status ◽  
Sma Syndrome

Abstract Background Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome is a well-known but relatively rare complication of anorexia nervosa. Although several reports have proposed surgery for SMA syndrome associated with anorexia nervosa, these have shown poor outcomes or did not reveal the long-term weight course. Thus, the long-term effectiveness of surgery for SMA syndrome in such cases remains unclear. This case report describes a patient with anorexia nervosa who underwent surgery for SMA syndrome. Case presentation An 18-year-old woman presented with anorexia nervosa when she was 16 years old. She also presented with SMA syndrome, which seemed to be caused by weight loss due to the eating disorder. Nutrition therapy initially improved her body weight, but she ceased treatment. She reported that symptoms related to SMA syndrome had led to her weight loss and desired to undergo surgery. Laparoscopic duodenojejunostomy was performed, but her body weight did not improve after the surgery. The patient eventually received conservative nutritional treatment along with psychological approaches, which led to an improvement in her body weight. Conclusions The case implies that surgery for SMA syndrome in patients with anorexia nervosa is ineffective for long-term weight recovery and that conservative treatment can sufficiently improve body weight; this is consistent with the lack of evidence on the topic and reports on potential complications of surgery. Due to difficulties in assessing psychological status, consultation with specialists on eating disorders is necessary for treating patients with severely low body weight.

scholarly journals Wilkie’s Syndrome Following Weight Loss in a Trauma Patient

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
George Oosthuizen ◽  
George Oosthuizen
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Trauma Patient ◽  
Superior Mesenteric Artery ◽  
Mesenteric Artery ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Rare Condition ◽  
Feeding Tube ◽  
Significant Weight Loss ◽  
The Third ◽  
Wilkie’S Syndrome

Wilkie’s syndrome, or superior mesenteric artery syndrome, is a rare condition of duodenal obstruction caused by compression of the superior mesenteric artery on the third part of the duodenum. The diagnosis should be considered in a patient who has experienced significant weight loss and now presents with persistent vomiting, especially if the vomiting occurs with the patient in the supine position and is alleviated by the lateral or prone position. The diagnosis can be confirmed by imaging studies demonstrating compression of the third part of the duodenum, and the main aim of treatment should be to pass a feeding tube beyond the point of obstruction to allow enteral feeding. The condition improves spontaneously with weight gain. Further treatment options include parenteral feeding and operative bypass in select cases. Here we present a case of Wilkie’s syndrome in a trauma patient with significant weight loss, together with a review of the literature on this interesting topic.

scholarly journals Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome: Clinical, Endoscopic, and Radiological Findings

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emanuele Sinagra ◽  
Dario Raimondo ◽  
Domenico Albano ◽  
Valentina Guarnotta ◽  
Melania Blasco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Superior Mesenteric Artery ◽  
Mesenteric Artery ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Diagnosis And Management ◽  
Sma Syndrome ◽  
Aortomesenteric Angle ◽  
Cect Scan ◽  
Enhanced Computed Tomography ◽  
Aortomesenteric Distance

Background. The superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome is a rare entity presenting with upper gastrointestinal tract obstruction and weight loss. Studies to determine the optimal methods of diagnosis and treatment are required. Aims and Methods. This study aims at analyzing the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of SMA syndrome. Ten cases of SMA syndrome out of 2074 esophagogastroduodenoscopies were suspected. A contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) scan was performed to confirm the diagnosis. After, a gastroenterologist and a nutritionist personalized the therapy. Furthermore, we compared the demographical, clinical, endoscopic, and radiological parameters of these cases with a control group consisting of 10 cases out of 2380 EGDS of initially suspected (but not radiologically confirmed) SMA over a follow-up 2-year period (2015-2016). Results. The prevalence of SMA syndrome was 0.005%. Median age and body mass index were 23.5 years and 21.5 kg/m2, respectively. Symptoms developed between 6 and 24 months. Median aortomesenteric angle and aorta-SMA distance were 22 and 6 mm, respectively. All patients improved on conservative treatment. In our series, a marked (>5 kg) weight loss (p=0.006) and a long-standing presentation (more than six months in 80% of patients) (p=0.002) are significantly related to a diagnosis of confirmed SMA syndrome at CECT after an endoscopic suspicion. A “resembling postprandial distress syndrome dyspepsia” presentation may be helpful to the endoscopist in suspecting a latent SMA syndrome (p=0.02). The narrowing of both the aortomesenteric angle (p=0.001) and the aortomesenteric distance (p<0.001) was significantly associated with the diagnosis of SMA after an endoscopic suspicion; however, the narrowing of the aortomesenteric distance seemed to be more accurate, rather than the narrowing of the aortomesenteric angle. Conclusion. SMA syndrome represents a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Our results show the following findings: the importance of the endoscopic suspicion of SMA syndrome; the preponderance of a long-standing and chronic onset; a female preponderance; the importance of the nutritional counseling for the treatment; no need of surgical intervention; and better diagnostic accuracy of the narrowing of the aorta-SMA distance. Larger prospective studies are needed to clarify the best diagnosis and management of the SMA syndrome.

scholarly journals Mitochondrial disease: an uncommon but important cause of diabetes mellitus

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ming Li Yee ◽  
Rosemary Wong ◽  
Mineesh Datta ◽  
Timothy Nicholas Fazio ◽  
Mina Mohammad Ebrahim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Weight Loss ◽  
Lactic Acidosis ◽  
Superior Mesenteric Artery ◽  
Mesenteric Artery ◽  
Mitochondrial Disorder ◽  
Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome ◽  
List Type ◽  
Presenting Symptoms ◽  
History Of

Summary Mitochondrial diseases are rare, heterogeneous conditions affecting organs dependent on high aerobic metabolism. Presenting symptoms and signs vary depending on the mutation and mutant protein load. Diabetes mellitus is the most common endocrinopathy, and recognition of these patients is important due to its impact on management and screening of family members. In particular, glycemic management differs in these patients: the use of metformin is avoided because of the risk of lactic acidosis. We describe a patient who presented with gradual weight loss and an acute presentation of hyperglycemia complicated by the superior mesenteric artery syndrome. His maternal history of diabetes and deafness and a personal history of hearing impairment led to the diagnosis of a mitochondrial disorder. Learning points: The constellation of diabetes, multi-organ involvement and maternal inheritance should prompt consideration of a mitochondrial disorder. Mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis, stroke-like episodes (MELAS) and maternally inherited diabetes and deafness (MIDD) are the most common mitochondrial diabetes disorders caused by a mutation in m.3243A>G in 80% of cases. Metformin should be avoided due to the risk of lactic acidosis. There is more rapid progression to insulin therapy and higher prevalence of diabetic complications compared to type 2 diabetes. Diagnosis of a mitochondrial disorder leads to family screening, education and surveillance for future complications. Superior mesenteric artery syndrome, an uncommon but important cause of intestinal pseudo-obstruction in cases of significant weight loss, has been reported in MELAS patients.

scholarly journals Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome: Clinical and Radiological Considerations

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Ezzedien Rabie ◽  
Olajide Ogunbiyi ◽  
Abdullah Saad Al Qahtani ◽  
Sherif B. M. Taha ◽  
Ahmad El Hadad ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Abdominal Pain ◽  
Superior Mesenteric Artery ◽  
Mesenteric Artery ◽  
Barium Meal ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Rare Condition ◽  
Sma Syndrome ◽  
Ligament Of Treitz ◽  
History Of ◽  
Initial Improvement

Background. Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome is a rare condition of duodenal obstruction, caused by the overlying SMA.Aim. To report on our experience with the management of SMA syndrome, drawing the attention to its existence.Material and Methods. We reviewed our records to identify cases diagnosed with SMA syndrome, in the period from October 1995 to January 2012.Results. Seven patients were identified, one male and six females. Their mean age was 17.1 years. Vomiting and abdominal pain were the presenting complaints in all patients and history of weight loss was present in six of them. In no patient was the diagnosis suspected initially on clinical grounds. Only after radiological investigations was the diagnosis declared. Radiology took the form of gastrografin/barium meal only in four patients and both gastrografin/barium meal and computerized tomography scan in the remaining three. Four patients responded to medical treatment and surgery was performed in the remaining three, with open duodenojejunostomy in two patients and laparoscopic dissection of the ligament of Treitz in the third. Long lasting improvement was sustained in all patients except one in the surgery group who, despite initial improvement, still has infrequent attacks of abdominal pain.Conclusion. Although the clinical manifestations of SMA syndrome are shared with many other disease entities, it has unique radiological as well as endoscopic features, which enables a confident diagnosis to be made. Once diagnosed, conservative treatment with nutritional support and positioning should be tried first. In case of unresponsiveness, surgery may give a lasting cure.

scholarly journals Wilkie’s Syndrome: Case Report

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-2
Author(s):  
Vladimir Schraibman ◽  
Vladimir Schraibman ◽  
Marina Epstein ◽  
Gabriel Maccapani ◽  
Franco Milan Sapuppo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Case Report ◽  
Superior Mesenteric Artery ◽  
Mesenteric Artery ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Diagnostic Study ◽  
Postprandial Fullness ◽  
Wilkie’S Syndrome ◽  
Gastrointestinal Obstruction ◽  
Upper Gastrointestinal

Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome (known as Wilkie's syndrome) is a rare cause of upper gastrointestinal obstruction. A 34-year-old woman presented with nonspecific symptoms of postprandial fullness and important weight loss. After screening for other pathologies, it was diagnosed Wilkie’s syndrome. Within this case it was briefly reviewed the diagnostic study and treatment options including a description of the selected approach, a robotic duodenojejunostomy.

scholarly journals Superior mesenteric artery syndrome in a healthy active adolescent

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. e228758
Author(s):  
Tsuyoshi Okamoto ◽  
Takumi Sato ◽  
Yukio Sasaki
Keyword(s):  
Superior Mesenteric Artery ◽  
Mesenteric Artery ◽  
Epigastric Pain ◽  
Growth Spurt ◽  
Pubertal Growth Spurt ◽  
Early Puberty ◽  
Pubertal Growth ◽  
Sma Syndrome ◽  
No Weight Loss ◽  
Common Risk Factors

This report discusses a case of superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome in a previously healthy 15-year-old boy with no weight loss or other common risk factors. The patient presented to the emergency department with acute bilious vomiting and epigastric pain after acute consumption of a meal and excessive quantities of water. The patient was diagnosed with SMA syndrome based on the findings of contrasted CT of the abdomen. In early puberty, boys have a significant increase in lean body mass and a concomitant loss of adipose tissues. These pubertal changes lead to a narrowing of the aortomesenteric space. The acute consumption of food and water caused a transient obstruction at the already-narrowed space, which resulted in the manifestation of SMA syndrome. This case demonstrates that pubertal growth spurt is a risk factor for SMA syndrome, and acute excessive ingestion can trigger SMA syndrome among those in puberty.

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