Fig. 6

CT angiogram showing reduction in aorto-mesenteric distance and aorto-mesenteric angle with dilated proximal duodenum and collapsed duodenum distal to the compression site between the aorta and SMA. a Arrow points to the angle formed between the abdominal aorta and its branch, the Superior Mesenteric artery. It is reduced to 20 degrees (normal – 38–65 degrees). This causes an extrinsic vascular compression over the third part of duodenum causing symptoms of intestinal obstruction. b Yellow arrow points to the dilated proximal duodenum, Red asterisk is the SMA, Green asterisk is the abdominal aorta, Purple arrow is the collapsed distal duodenum. Aorto-mesenteric distance is 4.4 mm (normal 10-28 mm)