Superior mesenteric artery aneurysm associated with chronic mesenteric ischemia in absence of identifiable risk factors and review of current literature

TL;DR

A 45-year-old healthy man with no risk factors developed a rare superior mesenteric artery aneurysm causing abdominal pain and was successfully treated.

Contribution

Presentation of a rare case of SMA aneurysm without identifiable risk factors and review of current literature.

Findings

A 45-year-old male with no risk factors was diagnosed with a symptomatic superior mesenteric artery aneurysm.

The patient was treated with anticoagulation followed by successful open surgical repair.

This case highlights the rare occurrence of SMA aneurysms without typical underlying conditions.

Abstract

Visceral artery aneurysms, particularly those of the superior mesenteric artery, are rare entities that can present with thrombosis and subsequent mesenteric ischemia. Most such aneurysms are classically associated with inflammatory and/or infectious etiologies, atherosclerosis, and connective tissue diseases. We present a case of an otherwise healthy 45-year-old male patient with no significant medical history or risk factors presenting with several months of abdominal pain who was subsequently found to have a symptomatic superior mesenteric artery aneurysm. Following discovery, the patient received systemic anticoagulation and later underwent open repair with an uncomplicated postoperative course.

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