title: Superior mesenteric artery syndrome after blunt abdominal trauma: a case report.
abstract: Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome is a rare cause of bowel obstruction. It is characterized anatomically by a narrowed aortomesenteric angle, causing a mechanical obstruction at the third portion of the duodenum. Patients usually present after prolonged confinement in the supine position, significant acute weight loss, application of body casts, and severe burns with symptoms of a small bowel obstruction. We present the case of a healthy 22-year-old male athlete with SMA syndrome that occurred after blunt abdominal injury in the setting of mild chronic weight loss; he was treated nonoperatively.
authors.affiliation: Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15215, USA.
authors.forename: John L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Falcone
authors.forename: Kevin O
authors.initials: KO
authors.lastname: Garrett
mesh_terms: D000007:Abdominal Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D001490:Basketball / Q000293:injuries*; D003664:Decompression; D006801:Humans; D007441:Intubation, Gastrointestinal; D008297:Male; D010289:Parenteral Nutrition, Total; D013478:Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D055815:Young Adult