A CASE REPORT OF SUPERIOR MESENTERIC ARTERY SYNDROME -USEFULNESS OF ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSIS-

We report a case of superior mesenteric artery syndrome in which ultrasonography revealed marked narrowing of the angle between the abdominal arota and the superior mesenteric artery (aortomesenteric angle). A 24-year-old woman with loss of weight caused by anorexia nervosa was hospitalized with abdomiral fullness and vomiting. Gastrointestinal radiographic examinaton revealed dilatation of the duodenum and extrinsic compression of the third portion of the duodenum. Hypotonic duodenography and selective superior mesenteric arteriography suggested the presence of an obstruction where the superior mesenteric artery crossed the doudenum. Ultrasonography revealed narrowing of the aortomesenteric angle. A translocation of the duodenum was successfully performed and the result was satisfactory. Ultrasonography can easily detect the superior mesenteric artery and abdominal aorta without the harmfulness effects of angiography. It is emphasized that ultrasonography is useful for screening for superior mesenteric artery syndrome.