1. < Digestive Health

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?

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Aug 20, 2017
In reply to @worriedmom18 "My daughter is 18 and was diagnosed with MALS and we would most appreciate to hear..." + (show)
@worriedmom18

My daughter is 18 and was diagnosed with MALS and we would most appreciate to hear how people's experiences were with surgery ? My daughter was recommended to have the lap version however there seems to be many posts including in medical literature saying a nerve block or other nerve procedure must be done for a higher success. My daughter can't eat without crippling pain and is loosing weight at a fast pace. I am grateful for this space looking forward to any and all feedback as we fall forward to a decision. Thank you.

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Welcome to Connect, Rho. I can imagine that you are worried about your daughter. We have a few members here who can share their experiences with surgery for MALS with you. Please meet Kari @kariulrich and Lisa @lmtuska. In this discussion thread, Kari has also shared some valuable information about preparing for surgery that I think your daughter and you will find very valuable.

Do you have specific questions or concerns that you'd like to ask?

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Kari Ulrich, Alumna Mentor | @kariulrich | Aug 20, 2017
In reply to @worriedmom18 "My daughter is 18 and was diagnosed with MALS and we would most appreciate to hear..." + (show)
@worriedmom18

My daughter is 18 and was diagnosed with MALS and we would most appreciate to hear how people's experiences were with surgery ? My daughter was recommended to have the lap version however there seems to be many posts including in medical literature saying a nerve block or other nerve procedure must be done for a higher success. My daughter can't eat without crippling pain and is loosing weight at a fast pace. I am grateful for this space looking forward to any and all feedback as we fall forward to a decision. Thank you.

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@worriedmom18 I would recommend a celiac block prior to surgery, from what I understand it is a good diagnostic indicator for a successful surgery. I recently had another celiac block, and so far it has been helpful. I have had 2 open surgeries for MALS. I understand the crippling pain your daughter is going through and my heart goes out to your family and her. A nerve block is temporary so that is something to keep in mind. How has your daughter been dealing with the pain? How is her weight? Any other symptoms? Many people with MALS also have problems with malnutrition and GI problems.

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Rho | @worriedmom18 | Aug 20, 2017

My daughter is 18 and was diagnosed with MALS and we would most appreciate to hear how people's experiences were with surgery ? My daughter was recommended to have the lap version however there seems to be many posts including in medical literature saying a nerve block or other nerve procedure must be done for a higher success. My daughter can't eat without crippling pain and is loosing weight at a fast pace. I am grateful for this space looking forward to any and all feedback as we fall forward to a decision. Thank you.

REPLY
3 replies
Kari Ulrich, Alumna Mentor | @kariulrich | Aug 4, 2017
In reply to @cornishrex "Kari you are so wonderful at answering the questions. What is it about Celiac Artery Compression..." + (show)
@cornishrex

Kari you are so wonderful at answering the questions. What is it about Celiac Artery Compression Disorder that causes gastrointestinal disorders? Between the doctors telling me I had GERD, a small hiatal hernia and very mild diverticulosis over the past 18 years none of that seems to explain the constant pain I have and the fact that I do become constipated easily. And I eat a mostly vegetarian, high fiber diet. I feel so much like I am being dismissed and written off by the diagnosis of the day instead of finding out the real problem. I am so glad this page is here. Still waiting to see a vascular surgeon familiar with this problem.

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I wonder if it is a couple issues that cause the GI symptoms. Vascular problems can lead to intestinal angina. Then we have nerve related issues... so many possibilities! I feel for our doctors trying to sort out the symptoms.

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Kari Ulrich, Alumna Mentor | @kariulrich | Aug 4, 2017
In reply to @bpayne "What Mayo CLinic do you use? Is it in Jacksonville, FL?" + (show)
@bpayne

What Mayo CLinic do you use? Is it in Jacksonville, FL?

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I see Dr. Oderich at Mayo Clinic Rochester: http://www.mayoclinic.org/biographies/oderich-gustavo-s-m-d/bio-20054708

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bpayne | @bpayne | Aug 4, 2017

What Mayo CLinic do you use? Is it in Jacksonville, FL?

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1 reply
bpayne | @bpayne | Aug 3, 2017
In reply to @lmtuska "Hello, my 16 yr old Daughter has been diagnosed with MALS. We are coming to Mayo,..." + (show)
@lmtuska

Hello, my 16 yr old Daughter has been diagnosed with MALS. We are coming to Mayo, MN, in February for an open surgery with a Vascular Surgeon. I, too, am interested in connecting with others to best understand this condition, follow up care and research resources. I would be interested in the webinar. Thank you Colleen!

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What doctor at mayo do you see? Was it in Jacksonville fl?

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Sharon | @cornishrex | Jul 29, 2017

Kari you are so wonderful at answering the questions. What is it about Celiac Artery Compression Disorder that causes gastrointestinal disorders? Between the doctors telling me I had GERD, a small hiatal hernia and very mild diverticulosis over the past 18 years none of that seems to explain the constant pain I have and the fact that I do become constipated easily. And I eat a mostly vegetarian, high fiber diet. I feel so much like I am being dismissed and written off by the diagnosis of the day instead of finding out the real problem. I am so glad this page is here. Still waiting to see a vascular surgeon familiar with this problem.

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1 reply
bpayne | @bpayne | Jul 29, 2017
In reply to @kariulrich "Ha ha Got to love spell check! Do have any motility issues?" + (show)
@kariulrich

Ha ha Got to love spell check! Do have any motility issues?

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Not sure what you mean by motility issues?

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