ObjectiveTo explore the pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of superior mesenteric artery syndrome (SMAS) complicated with Wernicke encephalopathy (WE). MethodsThe clinical data of 11 cases of SMAS patients complicated with WE were retrospectively analyzed. ResultsOf 9 SMAS patients complicated with WE, 8 patients were gradually awake and the time of consciousness recovery was from 7 d to 9 weeks (mean 5.2 weeks). Another 1 patient died of multiple organ failure attributed to severe condition. The symptoms of ophthalmopegia and ataxia in the rest 2 patients improved. All of symptoms such as ataxia, nystagmus, tinnitus, nausea, and sweating gradually disappeared. The nystagmus disappeared from 3 h to 4 d (mean 2.3 d) in five patients and the ataxia disappeared from 3 d to 12 weeks (mean 7.0 weeks) in 4 patients. The tinnitus, nausea, and sweating in 6 patients disappeared within 1 week. ConclusionImproving the understanding of SMAS complicated with WE is important during clinical practice and early diagnosis and intervention is the key point for a good prognosis.
ObjectiveTo introduce the advances in diagnosis and treatment of superior mesenteric artery syndrome (SMAS). MethodsLiteratures about SMAS published in domestic and abroad were collected and reviewed. ResultsSMAS was a rare medical condition characterized by acute or chronic ileus resulting from vascular compression of the third part of the duodenum by superior mesenteric artery. Images of upper gastrointestinal series, CT, MRI, and color Doppler ultrasonography were the major methods of diagnosing the syndrome and the upper gastrointestinal series was the most important. Conservative approaches were usually preferred to the treatment of SMAS. Surgery was performed on symptomatic patients when conservative treatment failed, and duodenojejunostomy was the best surgical procedure. ConclusionAwareness of the clinical and imaging features may be helpful to diagnosis and treatment of SMAS, and reasonable therapy shall include etiological treatment and relief of the obstruction by conservative treatment or surgery.