Long-term review of coeliac axis compression syndrome

Coeliac axis compression syndrome is a rare condition, characterised by chronic intermittent colicky upper abdominal pain after eating, associated with weight loss and an epigastric bruit. Typically, the patient is an otherwise fit young to middle-aged adult. The diagnosis requires the exclusion to other causes of upper gastrointestinal pathology, and is suggested by narrowing or occlusion of the coeliac axis on angiography. The pathophysiology of this finding and the complex of symptoms in a typical patient remains unclear. Carefully selected patients seem to derive long-term benefit from decompression.