Epigastric Pain and Weight Loss – A Case of Wilkie’s Syndrome
  • Ana Lima Silva
    Internal Medicine Department, Centro Hospitalar do Médio Ave, Unidade de Famalicão, Vila Nova de Famalicão, Portugal http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2782-999X
  • Daniela Antunes
    Internal Medicine Department, Centro Hospitalar do Médio Ave, Unidade de Famalicão, Vila Nova de Famalicão, Portugal
  • Joana Cordeiro Cunha
    Internal Medicine Department, Centro Hospitalar do Médio Ave, Unidade de Famalicão, Vila Nova de Famalicão, Portugal
  • Renato Nogueira
    Internal Medicine Department, Centro Hospitalar do Médio Ave, Unidade de Famalicão, Vila Nova de Famalicão, Portugal
  • Diana Fernandes
    Internal Medicine Department, Centro Hospitalar do Médio Ave, Unidade de Famalicão, Vila Nova de Famalicão, Portugal
  • Tatiana Salazar
    Internal Medicine Department, Centro Hospitalar do Médio Ave, Unidade de Famalicão, Vila Nova de Famalicão, Portugal
  • Carla Madureira Pinto
    Internal Medicine Department, Centro Hospitalar do Médio Ave, Unidade de Famalicão, Vila Nova de Famalicão, Portugal

Keywords

Wilkie’s syndrome, superior mesenteric artery syndrome, duodenal obstruction

Abstract

Superior mesenteric artery syndrome (SMA syndrome) or Wilkie’s syndrome is a rare etiology of duodenal obstruction due to compression of the third portion of the duodenum between the superior mesenteric artery and the aorta. Physical and laboratory findings are often non-specific but imaging methods are useful for diagnosing the condition. A 46-year-old female patient presented to the outpatient clinic of our internal medicine department with a 2-year history of epigastric pain, nausea, early satiety and weight loss of 15 kg. Previous studies were inconclusive. The patient underwent computed tomography enterography and its findings were consistent with SMA syndrome. Currently the patient is being followed by General Surgery and Nutrition and is under nutritional measures in order to optimize her body mass index to decrease possible surgical complications.This case report emphasizes the importance of clinical suspicion and careful investigation when considering less common etiologies for frequent gastrointestinal symptoms.

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    Published: 2020-03-23
    Issue: 2020: Vol 7 No 5 (view)


    How to cite:
    1.
    Silva AL, Antunes D, Cunha JC, Nogueira R, Fernandes D, Salazar T, Pinto CM. Epigastric Pain and Weight Loss – A Case of Wilkie’s Syndrome. EJCRIM 2020;7 doi:10.12890/2020_001557.

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