A Rare Cause of Abdominal Pain: Wilkie Syndrome

The rare pathological condition known as superior mesenteric artery (SMA) (Wilkie) syndrome arises when the third part of the duodenum experiences constriction due to compression between the aorta and the proximal segment of the SMA. The main complaints are nausea, vomiting, epigastric pain, and bloating with significant weight loss. Reported cases of this syndrome have been observed in patients who have scoliosis, suffered burns, led sedentary lifestyles, or experienced unexplained weight loss. In cases where there is unexplained rapid weight loss and recurrent obstructive findings that deviate from common causes, clinicians should include SMA syndrome in their differential diagnosis. This article presents a case of SMA syndrome, which has long affected the patient’s quality of life due to diagnostic difficulties, and discusses the disease’s diagnosis and management.