Welcome to Connect, @patrice207. You'll notice that I moved your message from the Chronic Pain group to this existing discussion about MALS in the Digestive Health group. I did this so you can meet others who are talking about abdominal pain and MALS. I encourage you to read back through the past messages where you'll meet @kariulrich @jmmb @annief and others, and find useful resources and tips that they've shared. Perhaps they can answer your question about how a nerve block may be used to help diagnose MALS.

Feel free to ask questions to help you prepare for your next appointment with your doctor. Have you seen a GI specialist?

Hello @patrice207, welcome. You can determine MALS through certain scans if there is someone reading the scans who knows how to look for MALS. Usually a doppler ultrasound can be done and they will check for velocities of your arteries. Basically your blood flow percentages. Also a ct scan can usually tell as well. I never had a nerve block. I never even heard about it until 3 years after my first surgery. That is for patients that have all the pain and symptoms, and they want to see if there is a nerve involvement. If the block works, then the surgery should work. Mine was a blood flow issue. It can be both. I am sure this is all confusing to you. There is a lot of information out there now on MALS. You can google and read some medical resources. There is also lots of people on here that have been through things as well and can help. Good luck!

Welcome @patrice207 I have had several nerve blocks both prior and post surgery. Some physicians like to have a nerve block done to confirm diagnosis and help make the determination if surgery will be helpful. It is just another piece of the puzzle and does not confirm or eliminate the diagnosis. Gold standard is a cath angiogram with pressures, or IVUS, I believe there is even newer technology than what I am mentioning. Unfortunately these are invasive diagnostic test and many times a CT scan /MRI is used. I would recommend trying a nerve block prior to surgery, it does help with some people control the pain. The more information you have the better decision you can make what treatment options are best for you. I hope this clarifies some of your questions, please feel free to ask more.