DOI: 10.36347/sasjs.2023.v09i04.011

Pages: 266-268

Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome (known as Wilkie's syndrome) is a rare cause of upper gastrointestinal obstruction. It is an acquired disorder in which acute angulation of the SMA causes compression of the third part of the duodenum between the SMA and the aorta. This is commonly due to loss of fatty tissue as a result of a variety of debilitating conditions. We report a 25-year-old male who presented with intermittent abdominal pain and intractable vomiting following significant weight loss, he developed acute high intestinal obstruction, which was diagnosis by a CT scan. This case emphasizes the challenges in the diagnosis of SMA syndrome and the need for increased awareness of this entity. This will improve early recognition in order to reduce irrelevant tests and unnecessary treatments.