Abstract
A 44-year-old woman presented to our Emergency Department with a 4-day history of
severe, sharp left upper quadrant abdominal pain associated with nausea and vomiting.
She had been seen 3 days prior at another Emergency Department, and had a negative
work-up including a normal non-contrast computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen/pelvis
for possible kidney stone. Vital signs were: temperature 36.3°C (97.3°F), pulse 100
beats/min, respiratory rate 18 breaths/min, and blood pressure 141/80 mm Hg. Physical
examination was remarkable for marked tenderness in the left upper and middle quadrants
and voluntary guarding. Bowel sounds were normal. Although laboratory studies were
normal, a CT scan of the abdomen/pelvis with intravenous contrast suggested a superior
mesenteric artery dissection. This was confirmed with arteriography. The clinical
presentation, diagnostic evaluation, and management of superior mesenteric artery
dissection are reviewed.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: January 07, 2008
Accepted:
May 4,
2007
Received in revised form:
March 7,
2007
Received:
December 8,
2006
Identification
Copyright
© 2010 Elsevier Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
