Abdominal aortic aneurysm and its association with duodenal obstruction: aortoduodenal syndrome.

Proximal small bowel obstruction in the region of the duodenum is an uncommon clinical entity. Our case, which involves obstruction of the third portion of the duodenum due to an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), is even more unusual. A review of the relevant literature regarding duodenal obstruction due to extrinsic compression includes features that differentiate aortoduodenal syndrome from superior mesenteric artery syndrome. Management of these conditions range from conservative to surgical, of which now includes a more recent role of metallic stents in some instances.