Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Dunbar’s Syndrome and Superior Mesenteric Artery’s Syndrome: A Rare Association

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Digestive Diseases and Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Celiac artery compression syndrome (CACS) and superior mesenteric artery syndrome (SMAS) are 2 rare diseases, widely described in literature. Their association has not been specifically investigated; in fact, few cases have been reported. For this reason we reviewed our experience from January 1974 to June 2004. We report 59 patients affected by CACS and 28 by SMAS. Coexistence of both syndromes in 8 patients was observed. These 8 patients were successfully treated with duodenojejunal bypass and decompression of the celiac trunk. In this paper, we analyze the pathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of these syndromes, emphasizing their common aspects. The misdiagnosis of this association may justify in some cases the controversial results reported regarding the surgical treatment of these syndrome.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Pezza V, Prati R, Troiso A, Ferrari G (1987) Vascular compression of the duodenum associated with compression of the celiac axis. Minerva Chir 42:93–95

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Akin JT, Gray SW, Skandalakis JE (1976) Vascular compression of the duodenum: presentation of ten cases and review of the literature. Surgery 79:515–522

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Ahmed AR, Taylor I (1997) Superior mesenteric artery syndrome. Postgrad Med J 73:776–778

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Lipshutz B (1917) A composite study of the celiac axis artery. Ann Surg 65:159–169

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Harjola PT (1963) A rare obstruction of the coeliac artery; report of a case. Ann Chir Gynecol Fenn 52:547–550

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Dunbar DJ, Molnar N, Beman FF, Marable SA (1965) Compression of the celiac trunk and abdominal angina. Am J Roentgenol 95:731–744

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Watson WC, Sadikali F (1977) Celiac axis compression: experience with 20 patients and a critical appraisal of the syndrome. Ann Intern Med 86:278–284

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Takach TJ, Livesay JJ, Reul GJ, Cooley DA (1996) Celiac compression syndrome: tailored therapy based on intraoperative findings. J Am Coll Surg1 83:606–610

    Google Scholar 

  9. Loffeld RJ, Overtoom HA, Rauwerda JA (1995) The celiac axis compression syndrome. Report of 5 cases. Digestion 56:534–537

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Szilagyi DE, Rian RL, Elliott JP, Smith RF (1972) The celiac artery compression syndrome: does it exist? Surgery 72:849–863

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Brandt LJ, Boley SJ (1978) Celiac axis compression syndrome. A critical review. Am J Dig Dis 23:633–640

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Thompson NW, Eckhauser FE, Talpos G, Cho KJ (1981) Pancreaticoduodenectomy and celiac occlusive disease. Ann Surg 193:399–406

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Jurim O, Shaked A, Kiai K, Millis JM, Colquhoun SD, Busuttil RW (1993) Celiac compression syndrome and liver transplantation. Ann Surg 218:10–12

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Botta GC, Villani LG, Dalla Valle R (199) La sindrome di Dunbar o del crocevia aorto-diaframmatico. Argomenti di Chirurgia 10:369–374

    Google Scholar 

  15. Rokitansky C (1861) Lehrbuch der pathologischen Anatomie. W. Braumuller, Wien

  16. Barner HB, Sherman CD (1963) Vascular compression of the duodenum. Int Abst Surg 117:103–118

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Cimmino CV (1961) Arteriomesenteric occlusion of the duodenum: an entity? Radiology 76:828–829

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Cimmino CV (1961) The status of the syndrome of arteriomesenteric occlusion of the duodenum. A critical review. Virginia Med Monthly 88:192–204

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Curl JH, Thompson NW, Stanley JC (1971) Median arcuate ligament compression of the celiac and superior mesenteric arteries. Ann Surg 173:314–320

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Lawson JD, Ochsner JL (1984) Median arcuate ligament syndrome with severe two-vessel involvement. Arch Surg 119:226–227

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Bech F, Loesberg A, Rosenblum J, Glagov S, Gewertz BL (1994) Median arcuate ligament compression syndrome in monozygotic twins. J Vasc Surg 19:934–938

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Jones SA, Carter R, Smith LL, Joergenson EJ (1960) Arteriomesenteric duodenal compression. Am J Surg 100:262–277

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Wayne ER, Miller RE, Eiseman B (1971) Duodenal obstruction by the superior mesenteric artery in bedridden combat casualties. Ann Surg 174:339–345

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Haley JC, Peden JK (1943) The suspensory muscle of the duodenum. Am J Surg 59:546–555

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Burrington JD, Wayne ER (1974) Obstruction of the duodenum by the superior mesenteric artery—does it exist in children? J Pediatr Surg 9:733–741

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Ortiz C, Cleveland RH, Blickman JG, Jaramillo D, Kim SH (1990) Familial superior mesenteric artery syndrome. Pediatr Radiol 20:588–589

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Balaban DH, Chen J, Lin Z, Tribble CG, McCallum RW (1997) Median arcuate ligament syndrome: a possible cause of idiopathic gastroparesis. Am J Gastroenterol 92:519–523

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Istituto di Clinica Chirurgica Generale e dei Trapianti d’Organo Università di Parma, Via Gramsci 14, 43100, Parma, Italy

    Mario Sianesi, Paolo Soliani, Maria Francesca Arcuri, Lamia Bezer, Gioacchino Iapichino & Paolo Del Rio

  2. Department of Surgical Science, University of Parma, Via Gramsci 14, 43100, Parma, Italy

    Paolo Del Rio

Authors
  1. Mario Sianesi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Paolo Soliani
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Maria Francesca Arcuri
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Lamia Bezer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Gioacchino Iapichino
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Paolo Del Rio
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Paolo Del Rio.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Sianesi, M., Soliani, P., Arcuri, M.F. et al. Dunbar’s Syndrome and Superior Mesenteric Artery’s Syndrome: A Rare Association. Dig Dis Sci 52, 302–305 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-006-9438-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-006-9438-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation