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Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome (MALS)
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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Thank you!
@mamabear80
The first test that suggested a vascular problem was an abdominal Doppler ultrasound. It was followed by a CT angiogram that confirmed celiac artery stenosis and MALS.
Gastroenterologist made the diagnosis and referred me to GI surgeon.
I suspect that my 15 year old daughter may have MALS. She has had constant abdominal pain for 2 years that has just gotten worse. She spent a week in the hospital for severe abdominal pain and vomiting and had CT Abdomen, gastric emptying study, HIDA scan, endoscopy, abdominal ultrasound, and upper GI series that were all normal. They dx her with abdominal migraine, but the medicine they have her on has not made a difference. Her pain pattern also does not fit with abdominal migraine but seems to fit MALS perfectly. Her GI doctor does not seem to know how to help her. My question is how were you all diagnosed (what specific imaging did you have that showed MALS) and what type of specialist diagnosed you? Any insight is greatly appreciated.
@astaingegerdm Thank you for your inputs. Thats comforting to know that classic symptoms may not show but MALS can still interefere with our daily lives in a significant way
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1 Reaction@graceym1 Thank you for your input. I will check for celiac plexus block. Your input was very helpful
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1 ReactionI too have some of the symptoms that you have. It’s not fun at all. But it gets better!
I too have not all my symptoms are classic either. Mals pals is a great group to join on face book. Lots of people have what we have. We try to share our stories and help each other. Have you had the celiac plexus block yet? That test pretty much determines if you’re a good candidate for the surgery.
@ankit22784
Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect!
Your symptoms could very well be signs of MALS. Not everyone has the same presentation.
In my case, I had surgery 2015 after many episodes of severe abdominal pain. The first test that hinted at the diagnosis was a Doppler ultrasound. The follow up test was a CT angiogram that confirmed the diagnosis.
2022 I had several abdominal symptoms that all were due to narrowing of the celiac artery- such as nausea, loss of appetite, getting full fast, pain a while after eating as well as weight loss. Tests showed that a stent that had been placed to keep artery open was kinked- like the artery. I had a new stent placed and all symptoms disappeared.
Try to get a doctor that is familiar with how to test correctly and who also has some experience with this condition.
I started with a gastroenterologist and the surgery where the ligament was cut was performed by a general surgeon.
My follow up visits were with a vascular surgeon.
Let us know what happens!
Hello everyone. My name is Ankit and I am from India.
I was recently diagnosed by MALS in CT scan test.
My symptoms are not classic MALS symptoms but as follows
1)Feel too full after eating/drinking very minimal food/liquid intake, 2) Feel very heavy/tightening/pulling inward in stomach after having food. 3) Feel weak/sluggish/difficulty walking and brain fog after having food/liquids. 4) Takes long hours of time to digest even very small quantity of food. 5) Lot of gas/flatuence happens after long hours of eating 6) Constipation. 7) Severe weight loss
Are my symptoms in line with MALS?
My doctors are not very sure, if we should go for surgery or not. Kindly help. Can laproscopic surgery help in my case. Request to please help
My doctors her
When I had my robotic lap 2 yrs ago for MALS, I had severe pain that wrapped around to my back. They use a gas for surgery so they can see better, and it needs to work itself out. Walking is very good as much as she can tolerate. Gas x , peppermint hard candy also helps. Taking opioids are great for pain but will definitely cause constipation. Taking stool softeners also helps.
Remember that this is Major surgery. Even though it was robotic or Lap, there were a lot of things moved around and cut. It will take time to heal. Rest is important when she can and slowly moving. Recovery for some people could take up to a year.
Good Luck and a speedy slow recovery.