RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Superior mesenteric artery syndrome
JF Saudi Medical Journal
JO Saudi Med J
FD Prince Sultan Military Medical City
SP 1145
OP 1148
DO 10.15537/smj.2021.42.10.20210509
VO 42
IS 10
A1 Khawaja B. Waheed
A1 Waseem Jan Shah
A1 Arifa Jamal
A1 Hassan R. Mohammed
A1 Bilal Altaf
A1 Muhammad Amjad
A1 Muneerah Al Bassam
A1 Doaa H. Almutawa
A1 Zechariah J. Arulanantham
YR 2021
UL http://smj.org.sa/content/42/10/1145.abstract
AB Objectives: To determine the prevalence of superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome in patients presenting with abdominal pains, and to evaluate computed tomographic (CT) findings needed for its diagnosis.Methods: This retrospective record-based study was carried out at the radiology department, from January 2016 to January 2021. All young patients (aged under 25) who underwent CT scans for abdominal pains were reviewed. Post-surgery, tumor, and trauma cases were excluded. Imaging findings for SMA syndrome were recorded as ‘suggestive’ (reduced aortomesenteric angle and distance with proximal duodenal dilatation), ‘possible’ (reduced angle and distance without proximal duodenal dilatation) and ‘probable’ (reduction of either angle or distance). Two radiologists interpreted the findings and consensus reporting was made. Diagnoses were confirmed on clinical grounds (symptomatic improvement by specific treatment and exclusion of other diagnoses), or barium studies. Imaging findings were compared to final diagnoses. McNemar’s Chi-square test was used to determine association.Results: Out of 141 patients (mean age=10.8, standard deviation=4), 7 (4.9%) patients mostly females were having SMA syndromes based on ‘suggestive’ imaging criteria (p=0.0005), and one patient underwent surgery.Conclusion: Superior mesenteric artery syndrome is not an uncommon condition and should be considered in differential diagnosis of acute abdomen in young patients after excluding other diagnoses.