Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome: A Rare Differential Diagnosis of Chronic Abdominal Pain.

Authors

João Victor Bonometti, Pedro Heineberg Muller, Leonardo Werner Rasche, Camila Q Peuckert, Mauricio Jacques Ramos

Published in

Cureus. Volume 17. Issue 5. Pages e84546. Epub May 21, 2025.

Abstract

Median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS) is a rare condition caused by the compression of the celiac trunk by the median arcuate ligament. It commonly affects young, thin women and presents with chronic abdominal pain, especially postprandial, and weight loss. We report the case of a 22-year-old female patient with persistent postprandial abdominal pain and significant weight loss. CT angiography revealed compression of the proximal celiac artery. Laparoscopic decompression of the median arcuate ligament was performed with complete symptom resolution and a favorable postoperative outcome. This case emphasizes the importance of including MALS in the differential diagnosis of chronic abdominal pain in young patients. Early surgical intervention can result in significant symptom improvement and enhanced quality of life.

PMID:
40546516
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 23 Jun 2025.

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