Superior mesenteric artery syndrome: an uncommon cause of intestinal obstruction.

Superior mesenteric artery syndrome, also Wilkie's syndrome, is an uncommon cause of upper intestinal obstruction. It includes compression of the third duodenal portion by the aorta and the overlying superior mesenteric artery when the angle formed by these two structures becomes smaller. It may result from significant weight loss or abdominal trauma, or may have a congenital origin. Treatment for most cases is conservative.