Síndrome da artéria mesentérica superior

The Superior Mesenteric Syndrome is a rare and controversial disease. The compression of the duodenum by the mesenteric artery and aorta causes an intermitent obstruction. Preoperative diagnosis is very difficult.We present one case of this syndrome in a pacient with severe weight loss and signs of high intestinal obstruction. The diagnosis was based on clinical and radiologic findings. A duodenojejunostomy was performed after medical treatment failure.This patient died on the 20th posoperative day due to cardiac complications. This syndrome must be remembered in cases of high obstruction in chronic ill patients.