Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome in Type 1 Diabetes Masquerading as Gastroparesis
- Luigi F. Meneghini, MD, MBA1,
- Anthony R. Hogan, MD2 and
- Gennaro Selvaggi, MD3
- 1Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Diabetes Research Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
- 2Diabetes Research Institute, DeWitt Daughtry Family Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
- 3DeWitt Daughtry Family Department of Surgery, Transplant Institute, and Diabetes Research Institute University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
- Corresponding author: Luigi Meneghini, lmeneghi{at}med.miami.edu
Abstract
OBJECTIVE—To describe and discuss a case of superior mesenteric artery syndrome (SMAS) presenting with gastrointestinal signs and symptoms mistakenly attributed to, and treated as, diabetic gastroparesis.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—A case report was compiled describing the clinical presentation, including history and physical examination, evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of a patient with type 1 diabetes presenting with gastrointestinal complications.
RESULTS—Clinical suspicion combined with the appropriate radiological evaluation led to a diagnosis of SMAS, with classic findings of reduced aortomesenteric angle and distance. Surgical intervention resulted in resolution of symptoms and recovery of glycemic control.
CONCLUSIONS—The possibility of SMAS should be considered in patients with type 1 diabetes presenting with gastrointestinal symptomatology, especially when associated with weight loss.
Footnotes
-
Published ahead of print at http://care.diabetesjournals.org on 15 July 2008.
Readers may use this article as long as the work is properly cited, the use is educational and not for profit, and the work is not altered. See http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/ for details.
The costs of publication of this article were defrayed in part by the payment of page charges. This article must therefore be hereby marked “advertisement” in accordance with 18 U.S.C. Section 1734 solely to indicate this fact.
-
- Accepted July 3, 2008.
- Received March 19, 2008.
- DIABETES CARE
