# Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome in a Low-Resource Setting: Case Series Highlighting a Rare Etiology of Intestinal Obstruction

## TL;DR

This paper presents four rare cases of SMA syndrome in Ethiopia, highlighting its role as a cause of intestinal blockage.

## Contribution

The study provides a case series from a low-resource setting, emphasizing SMA syndrome as a rare but important cause of intestinal obstruction.

## Key findings

- Four patients with SMA syndrome were identified at a medical center in Addis Ababa.
- SMA syndrome was found to be a rare but significant cause of intestinal obstruction in the studied population.

## Abstract

Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome is an extremely rare condition that can result from a multitude of causes that devoid the mesenteric fat pad or structurally narrow the space resulting in duodenal obstruction. It is predominantly seen in females. If not treated, it can result in life-threatening complications. Herein, we present four patients with SMA syndrome who presented to our outpatient department at Adera Medical and Surgical Center, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.