Superior mesenteric artery syndrome in a young woman

Vascular structures in the abdomen and pelvis can be compressed by anatomical structures or cause the compression of adjacent hollow viscera. Superior mesenteric artery syndrome (SMAS) consists of obstruction of the third portion of the duodenum due to compression between the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and the aorta.1 The SMA typically arises at the L1–L2 level with an anterior and inferior course, and the third portion of the duodenum crosses between the aorta and the SMA at L3. …