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Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome (MALS)
Digestive Health | Last Active: 6 hours ago | Replies (1229)Comment receiving replies
Hi, All. I've been diagnosed with severe narrowing/stenosis of the celiac artery. Today the Thoracic physician said he is still not sure it is MALS because I'm not losing weight. I'm actually in the hospital now, admitted last night from ED. I was sent to ED by PCP, who was concerned my pain could mean ischemia/organ damage given severity and duration I've been in this state. I have many of the symptoms mentioned in this forum - severe abdominal pain (both sides but predominantly left, under/around ribs and radiating to back) nausea lasting for hours and days, shortness of breath, weakness, chest pain, headaches. A CT from an ED visit in September of 2018 revealed stenosis and poststenotic dialation. What a journey to get to this point. Its been an uphill battle, really. I've had to be my own advocate - reading, researching, insisting on being seen and being taken seriously when dismissed and pushing for more testing when something was ruled out. Most important is to maintain hope. I really want to consult another physician/Team. Can anyone give some recommendations? I believe UPMC is the next closest health system to me. Thanks!
Replies to "Hi, All. I've been diagnosed with severe narrowing/stenosis of the celiac artery. Today the Thoracic physician..."
I can sympathize with you. I've been complaining to my GP for over 2 yrs about lower abdominal pain. After ruling out all other possibilities through various testing I had a CT scan and this was the result
Fusiform dilatation of the proximal celiac artery. This could represent
a poststenotic dilatation. Recommend CT angiogram or MR angiogram of the
aorta and mesenteric arteries
My GP attempted to arrange for the test, only to be told it has to be done by Cardiologist
Another 6 months I finally get to a heart clinic only to be told I must first wear a halter monitor for a month only after that can I see the cardiologist
Here it is 5 months after wearing the halter I'm still waiting to see the doctor.
I can only imagine the ride I'm in for.
Good luck to ya
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Thinking of you @davemazon, not everyone looses weight with MALS. Your PCP sounds like he is on top of things as there is a concern for ischemia. Have they considered doing a cath angiogram? At this point it maybe something to consider... there is something called IVUS... it is an ultrasound inside the arteries and they can take pressure readings. You may want to look into that, I believe there is even better technology than IVUS now. Ask for a consult with interventional radiology.