Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome (MALS)

Thank you for your reply! Did you get complete resolution of your symptoms after your first surgery? And if so how long did that last before it came back?

Mine came back, but it was much less severe. I had a 2nd surgery and the surgeon found a "band of thick neural tissue" around the artery which she felt confident was the cause of renewed symptoms. I developed gastritis 2 months after this surgery which is better but not completely gone, so I worry in the back of my mind that it's still MALS and debate whether I should try to get a follow up mesenteric ultrasound.

I had surgery over two years ago which was successful and I got immediate relief from the majority of my symptoms. now I am starting to have the same symptoms again and I am nervous that it is back. When I had my surgery my surgeon said that bec of the specific way he operates it is not possible for it to come back. Does anyone know anything about this or have any experience with it?
Thank you!

Has anyone had Mals surgery, and recovered from it, only to have it come back again?
Like is it possible for Mals to come back?

@hannat - I’m happy that you have a diagnosis! I also went years with abdominal pain of different intensities, thinking it was GERD or gallbladder problems. However, it got progressively worse and I was diagnosed and had surgery 6 years ago. They had to place a stent in the celiac artery after a few months since it was still compressed. Since then, I have been fine. Towards the end I had severe pain 1-2 hrs after a meal.
I preferred not to eat much each meal. I never lost weight either.
I was told that many people go through life with this without symptoms.
If you can manage the pain by the way you eat, I think you probably don’t have to have surgery.
However, it may be a good idea to get an opinion from a vascular surgeon.

@piapettersson - Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! There are quite a few members with MALS- even if it is a rare condition.
I’m Swedish too, living in US, but I have close family there. I know what you are up against with the healthcare system there.
You could check with major University Hospitals if there are surgeons familiar with MALS. Do you live close to any?
Most physicians and surgeons here are not familiar with the syndrome.
Can I help you with specific information?

I live in Sweden, and I feel that the health care do not take my symtoms seouriusly, and there is not a lot of information to find.

Thank you.

Hello @hannat and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I can imagine that finally getting a diagnosis after all of those years was bittersweet. Sometimes not knowing why you feel a certain way is worse.

Members like @jayson and @astaingegerdm may be able to help share their experiences and information on who they saw for care to help support you.

Is finding a specialist on the top of your priority list now that you have been diagnosed?

Hi, I am a 46 year old female and have just been diagnosed with MALS. I have had abdominal pain since my teens and have always treated it with either omeprazole/PPIs and antacids. I have not experienced the weight loss described in the symptom list, have been around the same size my whole life give or take 15 - 20 lbs. I am able to exercise just fine and don't have significant abdominal pain as long as I limit my food intake. However, I do have episodes lasting a couple weeks or so where my stomach hurts no matter what.

I am confused by the treatment options for MALS. Since I have gone my whole life without the significant weight loss, I am wondering if I can continue as is and avoid surgery. Or will it eventually worsen and cause long term problems if I don't. I live in North Carolina and would love to see a Dr who specializes in the syndrome. Any recommendations?