Philippine Journal of Surgical Specialties Vol. 79, No. 1, January-June 2024, pp 86-89

A Case Report of Chronic Mesenteric Ischemia Secondary to Superior Mesenteric Artery Stenosis: A Rare Cause of Abdominal Pain

Author(s): Jennifer A. Winter, MD1,2 and Rochie L. Hojilla, MD, FPATACSI1,2

Abstract:
Introduction:
Chronic Mesenteric Ischemia (CMI) is a rare cause of abdominal pain as vascular disorders tend to be last of the differential diagnoses considered in patients presenting with gastrointestinal symptoms. This is a case of a 58-year-old male who presented with a 2-year history of intermittent abdominal pain associated with sitophobia and undocumented weight loss. He had several in-hospital admissions and after a series of unremarkable diagnostic tests he was diagnosed with chronic mesenteric ischemia secondary to superior mesenteric artery stenosis as evidenced through computed tomography angiography. He underwent an aorto-SMA bypass with an 8mm Dacron graft. The main goals for revascularization of CMI are improving quality of life and prevention of bowel infarction. As CMI is a rare cause of abdominal pain, the patients tend to be victims of diagnostic delays. Early recognition and timely intervention are key in the management of this condition.

Key words: Mesenteric ischemia, abdominal pain, vascular diseases