Superior mesenteric artery aneurysm : review and a case report

Abstract EN

Superior mesenteric artery aneurysm (SMAA) is a rare condition, represents only 5.5% of all splanchnic artery aneurysms.

Stevenson attempted the first surgical repair of an SMAA in 1895; this SMAA resulted in death from hemorrhage.

In 1949, DeBakey and Cooley performed the first successful resection of a SMAA.

Atherosclerosis and infectious diseases are the most common cause.

Ultrasonography, computerized tomography, and arteriography are used to make the diagnosis and treatment is achieved by surgery or percutaneous techniques.

We herein report a SMA aneurysm detected in a 39 years old patient with complaint of abdominal pain.

The surgical treatment involved the aneurysm ligation and revascularization with greater saphenous vein interposition graft.

In conclusion, Superior mesenteric artery aneurysm is a rare condition but has high rate of complication.

Therefore, once the diagnosis is made it must be treated.

Patients usually have general abdominal pain that can often be mistaken for much more common conditions.