eMedicine Specialties > Pediatrics: General Medicine > Gastroenterology

Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome: Follow-up

Author: Shervin Rabizadeh, MD, MBA, Pediatric Gastroenterologist, Cedars Sinai Medical Center; Instructor, Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Los Angeles, David Geffen School of Medicine
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Jun 18, 2009

Follow-up

Further Outpatient Care

  • Nasogastric tube feedings with a standard liquid diet may be indicated in some patients.
  • These feedings may be continued at home until the obstruction resolves spontaneously.

Complications

  • Electrolyte imbalance (eg, hypokalemia)
  • Dehydration
  • Malnutrition
  • Oliguria

Prognosis

  • The outcome is excellent if the entity is diagnosed in a timely fashion and if the patient receives appropriate therapy.
  • In the past, deaths due to progressive dehydration, hypokalemia, and oliguria have been reported; most of these occurred in patients in whom the diagnosis was delayed or missed.

Miscellaneous

Medicolegal Pitfalls

  • Failure to diagnose superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome can lead increased morbidity and even death, resulting in medicolegal pitfalls and potential litigation.
 
Acknowledgments

The authors and editors of eMedicine gratefully acknowledge the contributions of previous authors Avinash Shetty, MD, and Ivor D Hill, MB, ChB, DCH, FCP, MD, to the original writing and development of this article.



More on Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome

Overview: Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome
Treatment & Medication: Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome
Follow-up: Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome
References
Further Reading
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References

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Further Reading

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Keywords

superior mesenteric artery syndrome, SMA syndrome, cast syndrome, Wilkie's syndrome, Wilkie syndrome, arteriomesenteric duodenal compression syndrome, chronic duodenal ileus, scoliosis, megaduodenum, small bowel obstruction, peptic ulcer disease, diagnosis, treatment

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Shervin Rabizadeh, MD, MBA, Pediatric Gastroenterologist, Cedars Sinai Medical Center; Instructor, Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Los Angeles, David Geffen School of Medicine
Shervin Rabizadeh, MD, MBA is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Gastroenterological Association, and North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Jorge H Vargas, MD, Professor of Pediatrics and Clinical Professor of Pediatric Gastroenterology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles; Consulting Physician, Department of Pediatrics, University of California at Los Angeles Health System
Jorge H Vargas, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Liver Foundation, American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, Latin American Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, and North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Mary L Windle, PharmD, Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy, Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: Pfizer Inc Stock Investment from financial planner; Avanir Pharma Stock Investment from financial planner ; WebMD Salary and stock Employment and investment from financial planner

Managing Editor

B UK Li, MD, Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Director, Pediatric Fellowships and Gastroenterology Fellowship, Medical Director, Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders and Cyclic Vomiting Program, Medical College of Wisconsin; Attending Gastroenterologist, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin
B UK Li, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Gastroenterological Association, and North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Steven M Schwarz, MD, FAAP, FACN, AGAF, Professor of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital at Downstate, SUNY-Downstate Medical Center
Steven M Schwarz, MD, FAAP, FACN, AGAF is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Nutrition, American College of Physician Executives, American Gastroenterological Association, American Pediatric Society, Gastroenterology Research Group, New York Academy of Medicine, North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, and Society for Pediatric Research
Disclosure: TAP Pharmaceuticals Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Curemark, LLC Consulting fee Board membership; Centocor, Inc. Grant/research funds Independent contractor

Chief Editor

Carmen Cuffari, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology/Nutrition, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Carmen Cuffari, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Gastroenterology, American Gastroenterological Association, North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, and Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

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