Aortomesenteric measurements data_FINAL 10042025.xlsx
The objective of this retrospective study was to analyze the aortomesenteric distance (AMD) and angle (AMA) measurements as well as demographic data in patients surgically treated for Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome (SMAS), also known as Wilkie’s Syndrome in a single treatment center in Slovakia, The National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases in Bratislava. Our aim was to evaluate the accuracy and efficacy of computed tomography angiography (CTA) as the diagnostic modality used for these biomechanical measurements. Furthermore, we aimed to provide reference values of AMD and AMA measurements in SMAS patients both nationally and globally. Records of 50 patients surgically treated in the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases in Bratislava were retrieved from the database and studied. The technique of measuring both the distance and angle between the abdominal aorta and superior mesenteric artery using the Slovak software for viewing imaging outputs, TomoCon®, was described. Statistical analysis was performed on the obtained data. The mean AMD was 6.56 ± 2.15 mm, and the mean AMA was 17.56 ± 5.42 degrees, which correlated with literature-reported SMAS ranges. The mean patient age in our study population was 36.60 ± 15.18 years and there was a considerably high female-to-male ratio of 4.56:1. This significantly high prevalence of females in our study could correlate with the global high prevalence of women in Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), a multimorbid connective tissue disorder. Also, the relatively young mean age of our patients adds to the concept of the early disease onset, also typical in EDS patients. Based on our study, CTA can be considered an efficient and essential tool in the diagnostic process of SMAS. However, other dynamic imaging modalities in addition to CTA, such as upper GI barium study and doppler ultrasound are vital in order to make the diagnosis as accurate as possible. Genetic screening for connective tissue disease in SMAS patients is recommended and warrants further research.
