Spontaneous isolated superior mesenteric artery dissection (SISMAD) is a rare disease that originates from the superior mesenteric artery, without the presence of aortic and other arterial dissections. Most cases are diagnosed using contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT), whereas the application of ultrasound is less common.

Here, we report a case of SISMAD with sudden epigastric pain that worsened as the main symptom after eating. The patient had a long history of hypertension with unknown blood pressure control but no history of smoking or alcohol consumption. This case was initially diagnosed using ultrasound and the results were later confirmed by CECT. After admission, the patient fasted, followed by parenteral nutrition support and fluid supplementation to maintain electrolyte and acid–base balance. Metoprolol succinate sustained-release tablets and aspirin were given as nonoperative treatments. After 1 wk, the symptoms improved, and the patient was discharged. During telephone follow-up, the patient did not develop similar symptoms.

Whether ultrasound can be used as a routine and noninvasive imaging method for the diagnosis of SISMAD needs further exploration.

Spontaneous isolated superior mesenteric artery dissection (SISMAD), first reported in 1947, is a dissection disease arising from the superior mesenteric artery, without aortic and other arterial dissections[1].

Clinical manifestations of SISMAD are atypical. The most common symptoms include sudden persistent or paroxysmal severe abdominal pain, accompanied by other gastrointestinal symptoms. Also, some of the patients are asymptomatic. In addition, clinical and physical examinations reveal no specificity, and no laboratory indicators for SISMAD are currently available[2,3]. SISMAD may directly lead to intestinal ischemic necrosis and arterial rupture, which endangers the life of patients if not treated in a timely manner[4,5]. At present, the diagnosis of SISMAD is mainly dependent on imaging examinations, and contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) and computed tomography angiography (CTA) are most commonly used[6,7]. Ultrasound is rarely used to diagnose SIDSMA. Here, we reported an ultrasound-confirmed SISMAD case without dissecting aneurysm or thrombosis, suggesting that ultrasound could be used in the diagnosis of SISMAD.

Ultrasonography of the abdominal aorta showed no shed intimal echo (Figure 1), suggesting isolated superior mesenteric artery dissection, which was later confirmed by CECT (Figure 3).

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Figure 3 Contrast enhanced computed tomography (CECT) showed superior mesenteric artery dissection. A: Cross-sectional view of the superior mesenteric artery dissection (SISMAD) (orange arrow) on CECT; B: Sagittal view of proximal SISMAD on CECT (orange arrow); C: Sagittal view of distal SISMAD on CECT (orange arrow).

After admission, the patient fasted, followed by parenteral nutrition support and fluid supplementation to maintain electrolyte and acid–base balance. Metoprolol succinate sustained-release tablets (47.5 mg/d) were given to lower blood pressure, and aspirin (100 mg/d) was given as an antiplatelet treatment.

After 1 wk, the symptoms improved, and the patient was discharged. During telephone follow-up at 1, 3 and 6 mo after discharge, the patient did not experience similar symptoms and did not visit any local medical facility for imaging re-examination.

Currently, the most commonly used imaging methods for the diagnosis of SISMAD are CTA and CECT[8], and only a few diagnosed cases have been confirmed by ultrasound[9-12]. In this case report, ordinary grayscale ultrasound could detect the start and end points of the intimal exfoliation in the superior mesenteric artery, the location and number of ruptures, and whether there was thrombus in the lumen. Color Doppler ultrasonography was used to investigate the blood flow through the rupture sites, the blood flow velocity in the true and false lumen, and the filling defect areas caused by thrombus in real time. Yun et al[13] classified SISMAD into types I, II (IIa and IIb) and III. In this case, a rupture was detected about 1.6 cm from the opening of the superior mesenteric artery, while its distal end was closed. No thrombosis was detected in either the true or false lumen, and the ultrasound finding was in line with a type IIa SISMAD.

Isolated superior mesenteric artery dissection is a rare disease with unknown etiology. It has been reported that male sex, smoking, atherosclerosis, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, cystic necrosis of the middle artery, and Asian ethnicity might be related to the pathogenesis of SISMAD[14-16]. Among these, hypertension plays a crucial role in the development of arterial dissection. In our case, the patient had a history of hypertension for > 10 years. Furthermore, SISMAD was a rare acute abdomen with no specific clinical manifestations. The primary symptoms were sudden and severe abdominal pains, mainly epigastric pain[17,18]. Our patient had intermittent pain in the upper abdomen without any specific positive signs. Currently, conservative treatment, endovascular surgery, interventional radiology, and open surgery are therapeutic modalities for patients with SISMAD, but there are no clear recommendations for the treatment of SISMAD[15,16,19,20]. According to current guidelines, SISMAD treatment strategies are designed to control clinical symptoms and prevent complications such as intestinal necrosis. Most studies recommend initial treatment based on clinical presentation at admission. If SISMAD is found accidentally during CTA in other settings, the patient can be carefully observed and treated conservatively[6,21]. Asymptomatic patients receiving conservative treatments do not need secondary interventions[22]. In symptomatic SISMAD patients, EVT may be performed before mesenteric ischemia progresses if clinical symptoms persist. The reconstruction of SMA was significantly improved after EVT, especially for patients with Yun's IIb phenotype[23].

Although CTA or CECT could clearly display and classify the type of superior mesenteric artery dissection, especially small distal branch vessels, there was an issue of contrast agent allergy as patients received a large radiation dose[24]. Ultrasound was simple and easy to perform, radiation free, and repeatable, and could clearly observe the echoes of exfoliated intima, the positions of the rupture and the thrombosis, and hemodynamic changes could be displayed using Doppler ultrasound. Also, bedside examination could be performed when necessary[12,25]. It has also been suggested that early transition to ultrasound imaging exam should be considered in the follow-up of SISMAD patients, which may help to reduce radiation, contrast, and associated costs[17].

This case report suggests that ultrasound is a noninvasive examination method for routine screening of SISMAD, which could provide a clinical management basis for the diagnosis and treatment of the disease.