title: Superior mesenteric artery syndrome in a tetraplegic patient, 11 years after a spinal cord injury: a case report.
abstract: METHODS
  Case report.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To report on the need to consider the possibility of the superior mesenteric artery syndrome (SMAS) even after a long time from the initial spinal cord injury.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ulsan, South Korea.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 41-year-old man with complete tetraplegia was evaluated for nausea and vomiting. He had a cervical cord injury 11 years previously and his body mass index was 18.6 on admission. The contrast-enhanced abdominal computed tomography (CT) showed intestinal obstruction at the third-portion of the duodenum. With frequent position change and intravenous electrolyte support, the symptoms resolved. There was no relapse of the symptoms with some lifestyle modifications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with spinal cord injury may develop SMAS even long after their initial injury.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Guro Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.forename: B K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Won
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D056888:Patient Positioning / Q000592:standards; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000150:complications*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D013478:Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome