[Spontaneous dissection of the upper mesenteric artery: a rare cause of acute abdominal pain].

BACKGROUND: Acute abdominal pain is a common complaint and one with which many general practitioners and first-line specialists are faced. The differential diagnosis is extensive and appropriate selection of additional diagnostics is therefore very important.

CASE DESCRIPTION: We present a 48-year-old male with acute abdominal pain and with no medical history suggesting the cause of this pain. Physical examination revealed no abnormalities other than considerable pain on pressure in the epigastric region. On the basis of CT angiography, we ultimately diagnosed dissection of the upper mesenteric artery and the patient was treated conservatively.

CONCLUSION: A spontaneous dissection of the upper mesenteric artery is a rare cause of acute abdominal pain. The diagnosis is made using CT angiography. Conservative management may be selected in patients with no aneurysm or stenosis in the upper mesenteric artery and without mesenteric ischaemia.