Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome (MALS)

Posted by Kari Ulrich, Alumna Mentor @kariulrich, Dec 26, 2016

I am looking for other patients that have been diagnosed with Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome. Although it is caused by compression of the celiac artery many people experience abdominal pain after eating, diarrhea, food avoidance. Usually the first doctors they see are GI doctors. It is a diagnosis that is made after everything else is ruled out. I am curious if anyone else has had surgery?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Digestive Health Support Group.

I had MALS open surgery a year ago. It was based on neurogenic not velocities. The mals pain is gone but I’m having horrible diaphragmatic and lower rib squeezing. No one has any answers-again! My doctor redid a ct scan and upper GI series and the Celia plexus looks ok. I’m at a loss of what to do.

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@lasirvent

I had MALS open surgery a year ago. It was based on neurogenic not velocities. The mals pain is gone but I’m having horrible diaphragmatic and lower rib squeezing. No one has any answers-again! My doctor redid a ct scan and upper GI series and the Celia plexus looks ok. I’m at a loss of what to do.

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Keep searching for answers. Sometimes allopathic doctors can be a little dismissive when they don't know what's wrong.

One of the problems I had after my first surgery was scar tissue causing tightness and soreness around my ribs and radiating around to my mid back. I have been to physical therapy twice, and the last guy I saw was incredibly helpful -- I felt great for many months after those sessions. I also take several anti-inflammatory supplements (turmeric, ginger and magnesium glycinate) that help keep me functional.

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@lasirvent

I had MALS open surgery a year ago. It was based on neurogenic not velocities. The mals pain is gone but I’m having horrible diaphragmatic and lower rib squeezing. No one has any answers-again! My doctor redid a ct scan and upper GI series and the Celia plexus looks ok. I’m at a loss of what to do.

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I have this and I thought it was from mals, are you saying the diaphragmatic and rib squeezing is new since surgery? Have you ruled out other compressions?

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@tlk

I have this and I thought it was from mals, are you saying the diaphragmatic and rib squeezing is new since surgery? Have you ruled out other compressions?

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I had this before mals surgery but it was hard to distinguish what actually was mals pain. I had my mals doctor do new ct scan and bc my upper gi said normal he said it wasn’t SMAS. I have this squeezing, tightening all the time. I have discomfort when eating but not pain, nausea or vomiting which would indicate SMAS.

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@lasirvent

I had this before mals surgery but it was hard to distinguish what actually was mals pain. I had my mals doctor do new ct scan and bc my upper gi said normal he said it wasn’t SMAS. I have this squeezing, tightening all the time. I have discomfort when eating but not pain, nausea or vomiting which would indicate SMAS.

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Have you had any tests done on your gallbladder function? That was something else I had checked out prior to MALS diagnosis.

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@jhmontrose

Have you had any tests done on your gallbladder function? That was something else I had checked out prior to MALS diagnosis.

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It took 16 years to find a diagnosis-on year 2, they thought it was my gallbladder even though hida scan wasn’t that bad, so they took it out.

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@evrose23

@kariulrich Hello, I'm about to have a CT-A to determine if I have MALS. Do you mind if I ask why you chose the open procedure vs. laparoscopic?

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Hi, I am getting ready to have the CT scan this week for MALS. I already had the ultrasound and my cardiologist who treats me for Dysautonomia says I do have MALS. Is the surgery really as scary as it sounds?

I have been stressing about it but really cannot live with the pain and nausea I have. I have a bunch of other syndromes with one being Fibromyalgia. The MALS symptoms seem to be triggering my other pain from Fibromyalgia. I just need relief and now I feel that I cannot eat or workout. I am glad I found this group for support.

Tonya

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@tonlop628

Hi, I am getting ready to have the CT scan this week for MALS. I already had the ultrasound and my cardiologist who treats me for Dysautonomia says I do have MALS. Is the surgery really as scary as it sounds?

I have been stressing about it but really cannot live with the pain and nausea I have. I have a bunch of other syndromes with one being Fibromyalgia. The MALS symptoms seem to be triggering my other pain from Fibromyalgia. I just need relief and now I feel that I cannot eat or workout. I am glad I found this group for support.

Tonya

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Yes, mals will amplify all other syndromes, etc. there’s a very informative and supportive MALS group on Facebook. They have been a lifeline for me. It’s called Mals Awareness. I couldn’t have made my way through all the road blocks and detours without them. This syndrome is a bear and it only gets worse with time. You also have to have the nerves addressed not only the ligament. Hope you can join the group.

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@tonlop628 - The CT will confirm the diagnosis. As surgeries go, the MALS surgery was not scary. It was so great to get rid of the pain.
I had another GI condition that probably delayed my MALS diagnosis. In general they don’t look for 2 rare coexisting conditions.
Good luck!!

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@astaingegerdm

@tonlop628 - The CT will confirm the diagnosis. As surgeries go, the MALS surgery was not scary. It was so great to get rid of the pain.
I had another GI condition that probably delayed my MALS diagnosis. In general they don’t look for 2 rare coexisting conditions.
Good luck!!

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Thanks. I do too. I have Gastroparesis and SIBO. I am glad to know the surgery wasn’t scary. I can relate to you on getting rid of the pain as I am having a rough day today. Thanks for that, it made me feel a little better. 🙂

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