Clinical insights into Wilkie's syndrome: A case report and review of relevant literature

Wilkie’s syndrome, cast syndrome, or superior mesenteric artery syndrome, is a rare cause of upper intestinal obstruction due to compression of the third portion of the duodenum between the superior mesenteric artery and the abdominal aorta. It is frequently associated with significant weight loss,...

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Main Authors: Elias Ledezma Flores, Adolfo Calderón Fernández, Arturo Urias Pompa, Liza María Pompa González, MD, PhD
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-08-01
Series:Radiology Case Reports
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1930043325003930
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author Elias Ledezma Flores
Adolfo Calderón Fernández
Arturo Urias Pompa
Liza María Pompa González, MD, PhD
author_facet Elias Ledezma Flores
Adolfo Calderón Fernández
Arturo Urias Pompa
Liza María Pompa González, MD, PhD
author_sort Elias Ledezma Flores
collection DOAJ
description Wilkie’s syndrome, cast syndrome, or superior mesenteric artery syndrome, is a rare cause of upper intestinal obstruction due to compression of the third portion of the duodenum between the superior mesenteric artery and the abdominal aorta. It is frequently associated with significant weight loss, causing depletion of retroperitoneal fat, and narrowing of the aortomesenteric angle and distance. We report the case of a 45-year-old male with type 2 diabetes mellitus who developed progressive gastrointestinal symptoms over four months, including early satiety, postprandial abdominal pain, vomiting of gastric and biliary contents , and severe weight loss. On evaluation, body mass index was 15 kg/m². The patient appeared cachectic, with a distended abdomen, decreased bowel sounds, and tenderness in the epigastric region. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed marked gastric dilation and duodenal distension, an aortomesenteric distance of 4.71 mm, and an aortomesenteric angle of 10.95°, confirming the diagnosis. Conservative management included electrolyte correction, nasogastric decompression, intravenous fluids, a hypercaloric diet, and postural changes. This case underscores the need for clinical suspicion and prompt imaging studies to avoid complications.
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spelling doaj-art-7a9a36b323c54cbaafee1700a57468a62025-08-20T03:10:28ZengElsevierRadiology Case Reports1930-04332025-08-012083964396910.1016/j.radcr.2025.04.096Clinical insights into Wilkie's syndrome: A case report and review of relevant literatureElias Ledezma Flores0Adolfo Calderón Fernández1Arturo Urias Pompa2Liza María Pompa González, MD, PhD3Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Xochicalco, Tijuana, Baja California, MexicoFaculty of Medicine and Psychology, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Tijuana, Baja California, MexicoFaculty of Medicine and Psychology, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Tijuana, Baja California, MexicoMinimally Invasive Surgery, LIMARP International Center of Excellence, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico; Corresponding author.Wilkie’s syndrome, cast syndrome, or superior mesenteric artery syndrome, is a rare cause of upper intestinal obstruction due to compression of the third portion of the duodenum between the superior mesenteric artery and the abdominal aorta. It is frequently associated with significant weight loss, causing depletion of retroperitoneal fat, and narrowing of the aortomesenteric angle and distance. We report the case of a 45-year-old male with type 2 diabetes mellitus who developed progressive gastrointestinal symptoms over four months, including early satiety, postprandial abdominal pain, vomiting of gastric and biliary contents , and severe weight loss. On evaluation, body mass index was 15 kg/m². The patient appeared cachectic, with a distended abdomen, decreased bowel sounds, and tenderness in the epigastric region. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed marked gastric dilation and duodenal distension, an aortomesenteric distance of 4.71 mm, and an aortomesenteric angle of 10.95°, confirming the diagnosis. Conservative management included electrolyte correction, nasogastric decompression, intravenous fluids, a hypercaloric diet, and postural changes. This case underscores the need for clinical suspicion and prompt imaging studies to avoid complications.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1930043325003930Superior mesenteric artery syndromeDuodenal obstructionComputed tomographyType 2 diabetes mellitusSuperior mesenteric arteryAortomesenteric angle
spellingShingle Elias Ledezma Flores
Adolfo Calderón Fernández
Arturo Urias Pompa
Liza María Pompa González, MD, PhD
Clinical insights into Wilkie's syndrome: A case report and review of relevant literature
Radiology Case Reports
Superior mesenteric artery syndrome
Duodenal obstruction
Computed tomography
Type 2 diabetes mellitus
Superior mesenteric artery
Aortomesenteric angle
title Clinical insights into Wilkie's syndrome: A case report and review of relevant literature
title_full Clinical insights into Wilkie's syndrome: A case report and review of relevant literature
title_fullStr Clinical insights into Wilkie's syndrome: A case report and review of relevant literature
title_full_unstemmed Clinical insights into Wilkie's syndrome: A case report and review of relevant literature
title_short Clinical insights into Wilkie's syndrome: A case report and review of relevant literature
title_sort clinical insights into wilkie s syndrome a case report and review of relevant literature
topic Superior mesenteric artery syndrome
Duodenal obstruction
Computed tomography
Type 2 diabetes mellitus
Superior mesenteric artery
Aortomesenteric angle
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1930043325003930
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AT arturouriaspompa clinicalinsightsintowilkiessyndromeacasereportandreviewofrelevantliterature
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