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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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Profile picture for Ingegerd Enscoe, Alumni Mentor
Ingegerd Enscoe, Alumni Mentor | @astaingegerdm | May 30, 2024

I don’t know the percentage, but there was a Knick in the artery that didn’t leave much room for blood flow. They eventually placed a stent because the Knick remained. The pressure on the stent continued and I got a new one 7 years later. All fine now.

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graceym1 | @graceym1 | May 29, 2024

Yes I’ve heard that a lot. Do you know how much compression you had on your celiac artery? Mines 60 percent.
Thanks
Grace

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Ingegerd Enscoe, Alumni Mentor | @astaingegerdm | May 28, 2024

I had laparoscopy, but the surgeons warned me that they may have to do open surgery if it was needed.

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graceym1 | @graceym1 | May 27, 2024

Glad it went well!!! Wonderful to hear. 😊. Thankyou for response. Did you have the surgery that you have to have your stomach cut open? That’s the one my vascular surgeon will perform on me.

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Ingegerd Enscoe, Alumni Mentor | @astaingegerdm | May 27, 2024
In reply to @graceym1 "How’d your surgery go? Also did you have pressure in your chest a lot? Thankyou!" + (show)
Profile picture for graceym1 @graceym1

How’d your surgery go? Also did you have pressure in your chest a lot? Thankyou!

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Surgery went well. I had discomfort in the chest afterwards but Gabapentin helped.

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graceym1 | @graceym1 | May 26, 2024
In reply to @astaingegerdm "@hollyreeves A gastroenterologist ordered test that eventually led to the MALS diagnosis. I had surgery at..." + (show)
Profile picture for Ingegerd Enscoe, Alumni Mentor @astaingegerdm

@hollyreeves
A gastroenterologist ordered test that eventually led to the MALS diagnosis.
I had surgery at another University hospital.

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How’d your surgery go? Also did you have pressure in your chest a lot? Thankyou!

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1 reply
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Ingegerd Enscoe, Alumni Mentor | @astaingegerdm | May 25, 2024
In reply to @hollyreeves "I’m glad you are recovering! Which type of Doctor at Mayo diagnosed you? Did you then..." + (show)
Profile picture for hollyreeves @hollyreeves

I’m glad you are recovering! Which type of Doctor at Mayo diagnosed you? Did you then see a surgeon ? I’m at Mayo now trying to get answers but the GI Department is booked through August.

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@hollyreeves
A gastroenterologist ordered test that eventually led to the MALS diagnosis.
I had surgery at another University hospital.

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1 reply
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lasirvent | @lasirvent | May 25, 2024
In reply to @hollyreeves "I’m glad you are recovering! Which type of Doctor at Mayo diagnosed you? Did you then..." + (show)
Profile picture for hollyreeves @hollyreeves

I’m glad you are recovering! Which type of Doctor at Mayo diagnosed you? Did you then see a surgeon ? I’m at Mayo now trying to get answers but the GI Department is booked through August.

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Honestly, no one at Mayo acknowledges Mals. There are several Mals doctors around the country that are very experienced and knowledgeable about Mals. It’s very complicated and you need a doctor that has lots of experience, not just 70% success rate. There are multiple concerns that need to be addressed.

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hollyreeves | @hollyreeves | May 24, 2024
In reply to @astaingegerdm "@jmendez37 Welcome to Mayo Connect! You have had a rough time- I think all of us..." + (show)
Profile picture for Ingegerd Enscoe, Alumni Mentor @astaingegerdm

@jmendez37
Welcome to Mayo Connect!
You have had a rough time- I think all of us here have had a similar experience.
What happened at your last Mayo visit?
When I had the ligament release the surgeon told me I had a 50-50 chance of success. I knew I had to have the surgery because I couldn’t continue living like I was then.
It actually was 100% success.
Laparoscopic surgery. There was some pain afterwards- Gabapentin worked well. I assume it was nerve pain. They also removed nerve plexus.
There was no more pain related to eating!
However, the celiac artery had a kink from the ligament pressure and in 6 months I needed a stent to keep it open.
Good luck! Let us know how it went.

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I’m glad you are recovering! Which type of Doctor at Mayo diagnosed you? Did you then see a surgeon ? I’m at Mayo now trying to get answers but the GI Department is booked through August.

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4 replies
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329751 | @329751 | May 6, 2024

Thank you very much! I hope you and anyone that has mals gets the treatment needed. I was blessed with and great husband and family.

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