Superior mesenteric artery syndrome in a young woman.

A 20-year-old woman presented to the emergency department with 15 days of nausea and intractable bilious non-bloody emesis. She had undergone corrective surgery for scoliosis 1 month earlier. She reported an inability to tolerate anything except liquids. She complained of diffuse cramping abdominal pain that started 30 minutes after meals. Her pain improved with flexion of her knees to her chest. Since surgery, she had experienced a 19-lb weight loss and weighed 80 lb (baseline 99 lb). She denied any changes in bowel movements and continued to have flatus.