 |
Case Series
Superior mesenteric artery syndrome in oncology: Report of two cases and review of the literature
1 Clinical Nutrition Department, National Institute of Cancer, Santiago, Chile
2 MD, Radiology Department, National Institute of Cancer, Santiago, Chile
Address correspondence to:
Simona Minzer
MD, Clinical Nutrition Department, National Institute of Cancer, Profesor Zañartu 1010, Independencia, Santiago,
Chile
Message to Corresponding Author
Article ID: 100130Z10SM2024
Access full text article on other devices
Access PDF of article on other devices
How to cite this article
Minzer S, Tenorio B, Descalzi B, Verdugo J, Olguin T. Superior mesenteric artery syndrome in oncology: Report of two cases and review of the literature. J Case Rep Images Oncology 2024;10(1):17–23.ABSTRACT
A rare cause of abdominal pain is the superior mesenteric artery syndrome (SMAS), characterized by an extrinsic compression of the third portion of the duodenum by the superior mesenteric artery. It occurs in the context of rapid weight loss, because of the decrease of intra-abdominal fat causing a reduction in the exit angle of this important vascular structure. Cancer patients frequently present with weight loss, often severe, making them a population at risk of presenting this syndrome. Because symptoms are vague and could be secondary to oncologic treatments, the diagnosis of SMAS is often overlooked. We present two cases of oncology patients evaluated in the National Cancer Institute in Chile who presented with symptoms suggestive of SMAS, weight loss greater than 5 kg in a short period of time associated with abdominal pain and vomiting. Both cases were confirmed by images [computed tomography (CT) scan] and treated with nutritional support only. We present both cases along with a brief review of the literature on this rare syndrome, which is usually a diagnostic challenge.
Keywords: Abdominal pain, Cancer, Mesenteric artery, Weight loss
SUPPORTING INFORMATION
Author Contributions
Simona Minzer - Substantial contributions to conception and design, Analysis of data, Interpretation of data, Drafting the article, Final approval of the version to be published
Beatriz Tenorio - Acquisition of data, Analysis of data, Revising it critically for important intellectual content, Final approval of the version to be published
Bárbara Descalzi - Acquisition of data, Analysis of data, Drafting the article, Revising it critically for important intellectual content, Final approval of the version to be published
Jaime Verdugo - Acquisition of data, Analysis of data, Interpretation of data, Drafting the article, Final approval of the version to be published
Thiare Olguin - Substantial contributions to conception and design, Acquisition of data, Analysis of data, Interpretation of data, Revising it critically for important intellectual content, Final approval of the version to be published
Guaranter of SubmissionThe corresponding author is the guarantor of submission.
Source of SupportNone
Consent StatementWritten informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this article.
Data AvailabilityAll relevant data are within the paper and its Supporting Information files.
Conflict of InterestAuthors declare no conflict of interest.
Copyright© 2024 Simona Minzer et al. This article is distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium provided the original author(s) and original publisher are properly credited. Please see the copyright policy on the journal website for more information.
