[Dissection of the superior mesenteric artery: a rare cause of abdominal pain].
METHODS
A previously healthy 47-year-old man had suffered from intermittent subacute abdominal pain for six weeks. He had no significant past medical history except of smoking (30 pack years).


METHODS
Physical examination and laboratory tests were unremarkable. Sonography and endoscopy showed no pathological findings. Eventually contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed dissection of the superior mesenteric artery and an additional angiography showed a false aneurysm.


METHODS
Because of the extended dissection thrombarterectomy was preferred to percutaneous stent placement. Five months later the patient was free of symptoms and continues to take 100 mg aspirin daily.


CONCLUSIONS
Although spontaneous visceral artery dissection is uncommon, awareness of this event is crucial for diagnosis and therapy to prevent hemorrhage and potential bowel infarction. This case highlights the importance of computed tomography in the work-up of nonspecific abdominal pain.
Bruns
F
F
Klinik für Innere Medizin II-Gastroenterologie, HELIOS Klinikum Berlin-Buch, Berlin. florian.bruns@helios-kliniken.de
Breitwieser
C
C
Poehls-Ihm
C
C
Benecke
C
C
Strik
M
M
D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D000784:Aortic Dissection / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D017541:Aneurysm, False / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D000792:Angiography; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004691:Endarterectomy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017538:Mesenteric Artery, Superior / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed