First reported case of superior mesenteric artery syndrome caused by weight loss from cannabinoid hyperemesis
A 17-year-old with cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome developed superior mesenteric artery syndrome (a rare bowel obstruction) after rapid weight loss from chronic vomiting, marking the first reported case linking these two conditions.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
A 17-year-old with a history of heavy cannabis use and recurrent nausea/vomiting meeting criteria for cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome presented with sudden severe bilious vomiting. CT imaging revealed superior mesenteric artery syndrome, a duodenal obstruction caused by rapid weight loss reducing the protective fat pad between the SMA and aorta.
Key Numbers
Patient was 17 years old. Maintained a normal BMI despite rapid weight loss. Chronic heavy cannabis use with symptoms meeting Rome IV criteria for CHS.
How They Did This
Single case report of a 17-year-old adolescent presenting to the emergency department with voluminous bilious emesis, chronic heavy cannabis use, and a history of weight loss.
Why This Research Matters
This is the first documented case of SMA syndrome resulting from CHS, alerting clinicians to a potentially dangerous complication when chronic cannabis-related vomiting causes significant weight loss.
The Bigger Picture
As cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome becomes more commonly recognized, this case demonstrates that the persistent vomiting and weight loss associated with CHS can cascade into additional serious medical complications beyond the syndrome itself.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Single case report. Cannot establish how common this complication is. Limited details on the patient's treatment and outcome. No information on long-term follow-up.
Questions This Raises
- ?How often does significant weight loss occur in CHS patients?
- ?Should clinicians screen for SMA syndrome when CHS patients present with sudden symptom escalation?
- ?Does the complication resolve with cannabis cessation?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- First reported case linking CHS weight loss to SMA syndrome
- Evidence Grade:
- Single case report. Establishes a possible association but cannot determine frequency or causation.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2022.
- Original Title:
- Case Report: Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome in an Adolescent With Cannabinoid Hyperemesis.
- Published In:
- Frontiers in pediatrics, 10, 830280 (2022)
- Authors:
- Berken, Jonathan A, Saul, Samantha, Osgood, Peter T
- Database ID:
- RTHC-03708
Evidence Hierarchy
Describes what happened to one person or a small group.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
What is cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome?
CHS is a condition in chronic heavy cannabis users characterized by recurrent episodes of severe nausea, vomiting, and sometimes abdominal pain. Symptoms typically resolve with cessation of cannabis use.
What is superior mesenteric artery syndrome?
SMA syndrome occurs when the third part of the duodenum (small intestine) gets compressed between the superior mesenteric artery and the aorta, usually after significant weight loss reduces the protective fat cushion between these vessels, causing bowel obstruction.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-03708APA
Berken, Jonathan A; Saul, Samantha; Osgood, Peter T. (2022). Case Report: Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome in an Adolescent With Cannabinoid Hyperemesis.. Frontiers in pediatrics, 10, 830280. https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2022.830280
MLA
Berken, Jonathan A, et al. "Case Report: Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome in an Adolescent With Cannabinoid Hyperemesis.." Frontiers in pediatrics, 2022. https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2022.830280
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Case Report: Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome in an Adole..." RTHC-03708. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/berken-2022-case-report-superior-mesenteric
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.