Medical Minute: Superior Mesenteric Artery (SMA) Syndrome

Dr. Gaudiani discusses a relatively rare complication of underweight or rapid weight loss called Superior Mesenteric Artery (SMA) Syndrome.

[LukerativeLion]

I've been healthy my entire life, up until 26 when I experienced these random symptoms out of no where: severe weight loss, sharp stabbing pains in my abdomen, many trips to the ER.. symptoms started early 2016 and it took until the end of June to diagnose me with SMAS. I had the DDJ (duodenojejunostomy) surgery November 2016, and afer a few months of recovery, my GI symptoms were nearly completely alleviated. I still experience pain, which may be because of Nutcracker Syndrome (pinching the artery / kidney) but my GI symptoms have been nearly eliminated from the surgery. Very thankful for the years and extra time I've been given. My heart goes out to anyone suffering from this, it is a living nightmare

[karakamlowsky]

I was diagnosed with SMAS in early 2019 after losing 40 lbs. I was overweight before I lost the weight so none of the doctors believed I had SMAS. They told me it was anxiety because I was otherwise healthy. There was a time I could not melt an ice cube in my mouth without vomiting. I had to get feeding tubes and surgery to get healthy again but every time I get a stomach ache I still have panic attacks :( SMAS is so rare and scary

[yonatanelgad]

i was diagnosed with crohns disease recently and after surgery for bowel resection i continued to go through muscle wasting and after a 40 lb weight loss i vomited bile all day and luckily was diagnosed with SMAS right away. After 4 months of no eating at all and only getting calories from a feeding tube ive regained 40 lbs and started eating again without surgery. its still an ongoing battle but im getting better

[maxxine]

Thanks for this video doc! I was recently diagnosed with SMAS because I was vomiting very frequently. But sometimes I can still eat and digest normally, so I’m not on a complete liquid diet. I’m considering whether I should get the surgery. Do people usually diagnosed with SMAS not able to eat any solid food at all until they regain weight or have the surgery?

[AnDrea-lwzx]

I was wondering if your patients have experienced autophonia; the hyperperception of one's own voice and breathing. Supposedly is common in wasting disorders like anorexia. It was a regular occurence for me at my most restricted state. I referred to it as "hollow head" - ears felt full, breathing and voice where quite loud in my head makes conversation with others difficult. Its the oddest thing. I dont really see much discussion about this topic with eating disorders.

[clarkhedrick]

I have SMA sydrome found on ct scan with contrast after losing going from 130 pounds to 109 pounds in a year of constant nausea last week I have gone down from 116 pounds to 109 pounds and constant nausea and agonizing pain in lower abdomen. My condition is so bad I got another diagnosis on top of everything which is chronic fatigue syndrome and it’s not my fault because I have been averaging 2700-3000 calories a day for the last 4 years and haven’t had a problem until a year ago. I have been forced not to eat lunch since nausea peaks at this time so I’m stuck eating a 1, 500 calorie breakfast and a 1, 500 calorie dinner and nearly dying of dehydration even though I’m consuming 5 liters of liquid a day.

[LoreleiMission]

My husband went to the emergency room twice in a week. He was vomiting blood the first time, and vomiting bile and blood the second time. He could not keep any meal down. He was admitted to the hospital and had two scans and an MRI. A number of radiologists and doctors did not diagnose him correctly. They planned to have my husband sit in bed for a week with a nasal tube and then "see how it goes". But then one doctor came in and looked things over and recognized SMAS. They did the surgery within days and my husband is recovering. Thank goodness that one doctor figured it out -- even though, he said, he'd practiced for 17 years and never seen an SMAs patient before!

[jorjaslife]

I have this condition and I’ve got a feeding tube and a Hickman line xx

[iilavenderii]

What should the AOM angle be? Mine is 22° with symptoms. Should that be suspected?

[raulhenaine]

Thanks for the info Doc. So I can recover just by gaining wieght?

[pskpsk]

Mam I was diagnosed Superior mesenteric Artery Syndrome I dont have feeding tube my weights normal 68 kg 5.5 height can. Though can eat whole food but Trouble digesting most of whole food. Had to restore the mesentery Artery fat cells between Aorta and small intestine pinch on renal veins. No cancer no diabetes no IBD No other issues CT pelvic angiogram normal no issues in pancreas but fatty liver may have on and off SiBo long term constipation stomach obstruction on and off.

I never used nor trusted any elements diet orally will this helps me sir some manner to restore mesenteric artery fat cell. This is happened to me because of my rapid weight loss with rigorous gym cardio low calorie diet in past. still gained weight but still having problems symptoms like aces acnes pimples acid reflux, allergies, joint pain, bone pain stiffness it’s starts after eating food stomach rumbling gas stomach bloating and feeling full quickly less food . No vomiting problem.

Please let me know any suggestions. I don’t want to do any invasive surgery or labroscopy. Will elementary diet game changer for me sir
Thanks for your suggestions appreciated

[mptech]

I was diagnose 2 months ago and now I'm with a liquid diet but I don't know how much time