A Traumatic Quinceanera Acute Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome in an Adolescent Girl

A 15-year-old girl presented with 3 days of progressive abdominal distention, pain, and bilious hematemesis. Her symptoms began after her quinceanera, during which she wore a tight corset. On examination, she was thin and had significant abdominal distention and pain. A computed tomography revealed a massively dilated stomach and proximal duodenum to the region of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) with distal decompression. An upper gastrointestinal fluoroscopy demonstrated marked dilation of the stomach through the mid third portion of the duodenum with distal decompression and an associated linear compression on her duodenal wall. We believe that she developed acute SMA syndrome. Superior mesenteric artery syndrome is a partial bowel obstruction caused when the third portion of the duodenum is compressed as it passes between the SMA and the aorta. Although the SMA syndrome is most commonly described as a condition associated with chronic, severe weight loss resulting in a narrowing of the SMA to aorta angle and subsequent duodenal compression, it can present acutely from causes such as a postoperative complication, blunt trauma, or external compression. Previously described acute SMA syndrome from external compression has been the result of medically necessary causes, such as body casting. In this case, the tight gown was likely the inciting factor for her development of SMA syndrome; however, she was placed at high risk for the condition by being underweight at baseline and experiencing food restriction for several days preceding her quinceanera. She was treated conservatively with nasogastric decompression and parenteral nutrition, and has since completely recovered.