Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 14, 2025

Author Spotlight: Advancing Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Tumor Treatment with Minimally Invasive Surgical Techniques
Published on: September 27, 2024
Median arcuate ligament syndrome: a rare cause of abdominal pain
Cristina Martínez-Cuevas1, Miryam Moreta Rodríguez2, José Pablo Miramontes-González3
1Gastroenterology, Hospital Universitario Río Hortega, Spain.
Abstract:
MALS, also called celiac artery compression syndrome, celiac axis syndrome, or Dunbar syndrome, is a rare entity caused by progressive stenosis of the celiac trunk secondary to extrinsic compression of the fibers of the median arcuate ligament. The prevalence is unknown, but it is estimated that it is a casual finding in up to a third of autopsies2,3, being more prevalent in women between 30 and 50 years of age4. Symptoms and signs include postprandial abdominal pain, exercise-induced pain, nausea, vomiting, and weight loss3. However, most cases are asymptomatic. The case that we present was a 56-year-old man, with a history of dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and chronic ischemic heart disease. He was a former smoker. He reported a history of recurrent abdominal pain, especially postprandial.
Related Concept Videos
Appendicitis-I: Introduction
Etiology: Appendicitis can arise from various causes, primarily rooted in the obstruction of the appendix lumen. Factors contributing to this obstruction include fecal accumulation, lymphoid hyperplasia and, in...
Abdominal Regions and Quadrants
The simpler quadrants approach, which is more commonly used in medicine, subdivides the cavity with one horizontal and one vertical line that intersects at the patient's umbilicus (navel). The four...
Aneurysm II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
Peptic Ulcer Disease III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
Few clinical manifestations differentiate gastric ulcers from duodenal ulcers. Distinctions in the location, timing, and pain relief are crucial for healthcare providers in differentiating between gastric and duodenal ulcers during clinical assessments.
Abdominal Aorta
The celiac trunk, a singular artery, divides into the left gastric artery, which...
Aneurysm I: Introduction

