Superior mesenteric artery syndrome caused by massive lumbar osteophytes

Study Design. Case report. Objective. To present a rare case of superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome caused by massive lumbar osteophytes. Summary of Background Data. SMA syndrome is a relatively rare condition thought to be secondary to functional obstruction. Although several risk factors for SMA syndrome have been reported, no other previous reports have suggested that lumbar osteophytes caused SMA syndrome. Methods. A rare case of SMA syndrome caused by massive lumbar osteophytes was treated by resecting the osteophytes. Results. An 82-year-old man, with a history of polysurgery, presented with frequent vomiting. He was diagnosed with SMA syndrome after endoscopic and several radiological examinations, and was successfully treated by the resection of the osteophytes. Conclusion. To the best of our knowledge, a case of SMA syndrome secondary to lumbar osteophytes has not been reported in the literature. The possibility of SMA syndrome caused by massive lumbar osteophytes should be taken into consideration when the cause of SMA syndrome is unknown. In addition, the resection of osteophytes could be a less invasive treatment in such cases.