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      Superior mesenteric artery syndrome following initiation of cisplatin-containing chemotherapy: a case report

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          Abstract

          Introduction

          Superior mesenteric artery syndrome is a rare cause of upper intestinal obstruction resulting from compression of the duodenum by the superior mesenteric artery and abdominal aorta.

          Case presentation

          We describe a case of superior mesenteric artery syndrome in a 61-year-old Japanese man with non-small cell lung cancer who had been treated with cisplatin-containing chemotherapy and had lost 7 kg in weight. The diagnosis was confirmed by the typical findings of abdominal computed tomography showing distended stomach resulting from compression of the third portion of the duodenum and reduction of an aortomesenteric distance and aortomesenteric angle.

          Conclusions

          This case highlights the importance of considering the possibility of superior mesenteric artery syndrome in patients treated with chemotherapy, especially those presenting with a low body mass index and showing weight loss during chemotherapy.

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          Most cited references20

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          Recalling Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome

          Background: Superior mesenteric artery syndrome is uncommon and characterized by postprandial epigastric pain, nausea, vomiting, anorexia and weight loss. The syndrome is caused by compression of the third part of the duodenum in the angle between the aorta and the superior mesenteric artery. This review updates etiology, epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment and outcome of the superior mesenteric artery syndrome. Methods: Review of the literature. Results: Frequently, predisposing medical conditions associated with catabolic states or rapid weight loss result in a decrease of the aortomesenteric angle and subsequent duodenal obstruction. External cast compression, anatomic variants and surgical alteration of the anatomy following spine surgery or ileoanal pouch anastomosis can also precipitate the syndrome. Once radiologic studies have established diagnosis, first-line treatment is usually conservative with jejunal or parenteral nutrition for restoration of the aortomesenteric fatty tissue. If conservative management fails, surgical options include open or laparoscopic duodenojejunostomy or duodenal mobilization and division of the ligament of Treitz. Conclusion: Superior mesenteric artery syndrome is clearly defined and frequently associated with a wide range of predisposing conditions and surgical procedures; clinicians have to consider this syndrome in such a setting. Larger studies are needed to better define the optimal treatment for this disease.
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            Superior mesenteric artery syndrome: CT and ultrasonography findings.

            The purpose of the study was to describe computed tomography (CT) and ultrasonography findings in superior mesenteric artery syndrome (SMAS). The study was performed on 89 CT examinations. Ultrasonography was performed on 32 and barium study was performed on four of these subjects. Group A consisted of cases with one or more of the following complaints: postprandial epigastric pain, weight loss and vomiting. Group B consisted of the remaining cases. Cases who had all of the above-mentioned clinical findings and duodenal dilatation, to-and-fro barium movement and SMA indentation in barium study were diagnosed as having SMAS. Body mass index (BMI, kg/m2) was calculated. The distance between SMA and aorta, at the location where the duodenum passes from, was measured on CT and ultrasonography. The angle between SMA and aorta was measured on ultrasonography images. Group and gender differences were analyzed with t-test, the relationship between clinical and CT findings was analyzed with Mann Whitney U test and the relations between BMI-CT and CT-ultrasonography measurements were analyzed with Pearson coefficients. Of 13 cases in Group A, 3 were diagnosed as SMAS. Eight of the cases showed gastric and/or duodenal dilatation. In 6 cases, antrum had an abnormally high location at portal hilus. In Group A, the SMA-aorta distance was 6.6 +/- 1.5 mm and the SMA-aorta angle was 18.7 +/- 10.7 degrees . In Group B, these values were 16.0 +/- 5.6 mm and 50.9 +/- 25.4 degrees , respectively (p < 0.001). Cut-off values between SMAS and Group B were 8 mm (100% sensitivity and specificity), and 22 degrees (42.8% sensitivity, 100 % specificity). CT and ultrasonography measurements (p < 0.001) and SMA-aorta distance and BMI (p=0.004) were significantly correlated. The SMA-aorta distance was significantly shorter in females (p=0.036). Gastric and/or duodenal dilatation and a diminished SMA-aorta distance have a significant correlation with clinical symptoms of SMAS that include postprandial pain, vomiting and weight loss.
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              Ultrasound imaging in diagnosis of superior mesenteric artery syndrome.

              We screened a cohort of subjects affected by various degree of dyspepsia to reveal if they presented a reduction of the aorto-mesenteric angle and to diagnose suspected cases of superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome. Controlled, prospective, study. Subjects were studied as outpatients. The study investigated a total of 3622 subjects referred to our department by their general practitioners for dyspepsia and/or abdominal pain. Interventions. Abdominal ultrasonography with power colour Doppler, gastroduodenoscopy, hypotonic duodenography, contrast-enhanced spiral computerized tomography were performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENT AND RESULTS: Color Doppler revealed a significant reduction of the SMA angle in 29 of 950 subjects; gastroscopy showed duodenal compressive pulsation in 14 of 29 patients and X-ray revealed compression of the third segment of the duodenum in 28 of 29 patients. CT confirmed the presence of a reduced angle and various degrees of duodenal compression in all patients. Ultrasonography and CT examinations gave overlapping results (P > 0.05) in diagnosing pathological aorto-mesenteric angle. The authors believe that the incidence of reduced aorto-mesenteric angle and SMA syndrome might be underrated. Ultrasound power colour Doppler imaging is useful in epidemiological screening of reduced aorto-mesenteric angle to diagnose suspected cases of SMA syndrome.
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                Author and article information

                Journal
                J Med Case Reports
                Journal of Medical Case Reports
                BioMed Central
                1752-1947
                2012
                16 January 2012
                : 6
                : 14
                Affiliations
                [1 ]First Department of Internal Medicine, Shinshu University School of Medicine, 3-1-1, Asahi, Matsumoto, 390-8621, Japan
                [2 ]Department of Radiology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, 390-8621, Japan
                Article
                1752-1947-6-14
                10.1186/1752-1947-6-14
                3275446
                22248296
                e653a764-70a5-4c7b-8dd5-26c73f0d2e6c
                Copyright ©2012 Ushiki et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

                This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License ( http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

                History
                : 26 July 2011
                : 16 January 2012
                Categories
                Case Report

                Medicine
                non-small cell lung cancer,body weight loss,superior mesenteric artery syndrome,emesis

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