Endoscopic ultrasound diagnosis of superior mesenteric artery syndrome

Superior mesenteric artery syndrome is a rare condition characterised by the compression of third portion of the duode-num between the superior mesenteric artery and the aorta most often diagnosed in young subjects. Since symptoms are not specific and can mimic other conditions that cause small bowel obstruction, the diagnosis can be challenging and usu-ally requires the use of abdominal x-rays with oral contrast medium, CT-scan or angiography. In our case, the diagnosis was suspected with abdominal ultrasound and confirmed with endoscopic ultrasound examination, suggesting that EUS can be a valid alternative to radiological imaging for the diagnosis of superior mesenteric artery syndrome, in order to reduce the exposure to ionizing radiation, especially in paediatric patients.