Lucknow: A 14-year-old boy from a rural area in eastern UP, suffering from a rare and painful stomach disorder, was successfully treated at KGMU.The boy was diagnosed with superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome, also known as Wilkie’s syndrome. In this condition, part of the small intestine, called the duodenum, gets squeezed between two major blood vessels — the aorta and the superior mesenteric artery. This causes severe stomach pain, weight loss, and a fear of eating.For over six months, the boy was in pain every time he ate, so he almost stopped eating. By the time he reached KGMU, he was extremely weak. His body mass index (BMI) dropped to 12.5, far below the normal range of 18.5-25 for boys his age, putting him at serious risk of malnutrition.Faculty at the surgery department, Prof Saumya Singh, who led the treatment, said that SMA syndrome is very rare — only 0.01-0.03% of people are affected — and is often hard to identify because its symptoms are similar to common stomach issues. In this case, a CT scan confirmed the diagnosis by showing the narrowing between the two arteries.Dr Singh said, “Usually, women in their 40s get SMA syndrome. But due to its low occurrence, it is often misdiagnosed, and people keep popping painkillers just for relief. We see this condition rarely — perhaps one case in three years.”Dr Saumya said the boy underwent a surgery called ‘Strong’s Procedure’ on June 10. Within a few days, the boy started eating again and began to recover quickly. The patient was discharged.The operation was supported by head of paediatric surgery, Prof JD Rawat, Prof JK Kushwaha and junior doctors Dr Swapnil Singh and Dr Pankaj Kumar. The anaesthesia team, led by Prof MP Khan and Dr Ayushi, ensured the child’s safety during the risky procedure.KGMU vice chancellor Prof Soniya Nityanand praised the team.
