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Superior mesenteric artery syndrome

Case contributed by Mohammad Taghi Niknejad
Diagnosis probable

Presentation

Post prandial abdominal pain.

Patient Data

Age: 50 years
Gender: Male

The angle between SMA and the aorta decreased (13 degrees), and the duodenum is dilated before this section.

Bilateral coarse calcifications are seen in adrenal glands.

Ring artifact is also present, possibly due to a malfunctioning detector.

Annotated image

The angle between SMA and the aorta decreased (13 degrees) and the duodenum was dilated before this section.

Case Discussion

The findings in this patient with post prandial abdominal pain are suggestive of SMA syndrome.

Normally, the aortomesenteric angle and aortomesenteric distance are:

  • aortomesenteric angle: 25°-60°
  • aortomesenteric distance: 10-28 mm

 In SMA syndrome, both parameters are reduced, with values of 6°-15° and 2-8 mm.

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