Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome as a Complication of Anorexia Nervosa: A Case Report

Abstract

Anorexia nervosa is a complex eating disorder that, despite being primarily a psychiatric diagnosis, can lead to significant medical complications, which contribute to the highest mortality rate among these disorders.

Superior mesenteric artery syndrome is a rare and underdiagnosed complication of Anorexia Nervosa, resulting from weight loss–induced atrophy of the mesenteric fat pad. It can be potentially fatal and its nonspecific symptomatology often delays the diagnosis.

We present the case of a patient with anorexia nervosa, without regular medical follow-up (including psychiatric), admitted to the emergency department with acute gastrointestinal symptoms, ultimately diagnosed as a severe superior mesenteric artery syndrome, requiring urgent surgical intervention.

This case highlights the importance of the thorough and early differential diagnosis of this potentially life-threatening medical and surgical complication, which occurs with considerable frequency among patients with anorexia nervosa.