Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome (MALS)

Does this mean that even though you had a ganglionectomy with the 1st surgery that your symptoms can back? Did you need the omental patching around the area because scar tissue was causing problems/pain? I'm asking because my daughter is 4.25 months post op and at 2 months post op a stabbing pain has started in her epigastric region. Since there is no easy way to diagnose scar tissue I am looking at all options.

Would like to connect with anyone who has Stent placement for MALS or has had recurrence of symptoms after multiple surgeries. Thank you!

@applegrl Welcome to the MALS discussion! Do you or a family member have similar symptoms?

The pleasure was all mine @llwortman, you are a remarkable human being and such an inspiration. I am so happy our lives have crossed paths!

Never had MALS, just learning about it! It was great meeting you in person at Mayo Social Media event!

Has anyone with here with MALS experienced chest pain?

Here is an abstract that may help: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0890509608004226
(Management of Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome: A New Paradigm
Andrew J. Duffy1, , , Lucian Panait2, Dan Eisenberg1, Robert L. Bell1, Kurt E. Roberts1, Bauer Sumpio1
1 Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
2 Saint Mary's Hospital, Waterbury, CT
Available online 6 January 2009)

@bree11 Here is some very basic information about MALS: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/median-arcuate-ligament-syndrome-mals
There are a few good papers on MALS geared toward the medical professional also, wish there more! There needs to be more awareness done on this condition. Have your doctors considered a GI motility study? For me most of my GI work up came back normal, I had a some motility issues but not significant enough to raise eyebrows. It is a long diagnostic road, but worth taking in the end. If the tests get too much, let the doctors know. Sometimes I needed to take a month off of testing just to get away from the hospital awhile. (With my doctor's permission). I was fortunate that my Mayo team really believed in shared decision making. The fact you found a doctor that is willing to look further into MALS is priceless! That says a lot, and you may find that you may be guiding your care and teaching more than you expected. Don't be afraid to tell him what you have learned.

Hi Kari,
I have had endoscopy and colonoscopy, CT's, ultrasounds, x-rays and lots of blood work, with no results aside from the narrowing seen on the celiac trunk. I will be going in to see a GI in the next couple of weeks and she wants to do another endoscopy and colonoscopy. I do understand what you are saying about the ischemia and am on blood thinners and will remain on them indefinitely as clotting runs in my family and this was my second diagnosed unprovoked DVT, first PE. I am working at being my own advocate and just recently found a new doctor, though he was unaware of MALS and is looking into it further for me.

@bree11 I do not believe a blood clot can cause MALS, but they could cause identical symptoms, if it happened in an artery involving your abdomen. Does that make sense? If you have a clot in the brain, you will have symptoms depending on where the clot is. If you have ischemia (decreased oxygen flow) in your tummy you can have severe abdominal pain. I believe your symptoms warrant further work up. I have had severe abdominal pain from my Mals, due to ischemia. ( I hope this is making sense to you) Have you had any GI work up? What other testing have you had done? Please remember you are your best advocate.