Vascular compression of the third part of duodenum (Q89440)

Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome is a very rare, life-threatening disorder characterised by a compression of the third portion of the duodenum by the abdominal aorta and the overlaying superior mesenteric artery. The syndrome is typically caused by an angle of 6°-25° between the AA and the SMA. This contains patients with the chronic, congenital form of SMA syndrome, predominantly have a lengthy or even lifelong history of abdominal complaints with intermittent exacerbations depending on the degree of duodenal compression. Risk factors include anatomic characteristics such as: asthenic body build, an unusually high insertion of the duodenum at the ligament of Treiz, a particularly low origin of the SMA, or intestinal malrotation around an axis formed by the SMA.