Superior mesenteric artery syndrome in a tetraplegic patient, 11 years after a spinal cord injury: a case report.

Abstract

Case report. To report on the need to consider the possibility of the superior mesenteric artery syndrome (SMAS) even after a long time from the initial spinal cord injury. Ulsan, South Korea. A 41-year-old man with complete tetraplegia was evaluated for nausea and vomiting. He had a cervical cord injury 11 years previously and his body mass index was 18.6 on admission. The contrast-enhanced abdominal computed tomography (CT) showed intestinal obstruction at the third-portion of the duodenum. With frequent position change and intravenous electrolyte support, the symptoms resolved. There was no relapse of the symptoms with some lifestyle modifications. Patients with spinal cord injury may develop SMAS even long after their initial injury.