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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lhorton73 | @lhorton73 | Mar 27, 2023
In reply to @sandyskw13 "I need some help and guidance. Have a 20 year old daughter, live in Ontario Canada...." + (show)
@sandyskw13

I need some help and guidance. Have a 20 year old daughter, live in Ontario Canada. She's been dealing with MALS like symptoms for 17 months. No one so far here, has been able to diagnose her and we've had some incorrect testing, which adds to the problem. All we need is a MALS experienced doctor to do more correct testing so we can possibly get a diagnosis. Like a DOPPLER US with correct protocols, MRA with proper protecols. We know she likely needs a plexus block but scared to do away from home. Anyone know of any doctors who could help with testing?

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Hello..I've attached a list if doctors in Canada, hope this helps. I'm in a Facebook group and it has been very helpful navigating through this process.

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1 reply
sandyskw13 | @sandyskw13 | Mar 27, 2023
In reply to @lhorton73 "Hello..I've attached a list if doctors in Canada, hope this helps. I'm in a Facebook group..." + (show)
@lhorton73

Hello..I've attached a list if doctors in Canada, hope this helps. I'm in a Facebook group and it has been very helpful navigating through this process.

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Thank you. I started out here and eventually found the online Facebook groups. Thanks for your information.

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malvadia | @malvadia | May 1, 2023
In reply to @lisa01 "Are you aware of a FB support group called MALS PALS. It is a support group..." + (show)
@lisa01

Are you aware of a FB support group called MALS PALS. It is a support group for people suffering with MALS and their loved ones. It gives a tremendous amount of informstion of individual struggles, and various treatments and specialists that treat MALS. Highly recommended!!

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Thank you for the info about the FB group!

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dearley | @dearley | Jun 6, 2023
In reply to @kariulrich "Thank you, Yes @lisa01 I am part of MALS PALS, but I do like the security..." + (show)
@kariulrich

Thank you, Yes @lisa01 I am part of MALS PALS, but I do like the security of being here on Mayo connect vs Facebook when it comes to health information security. I was hoping that a group would start here for MALS. If we had enough patients here on Mayo Connect maybe they would consider doing a webinar in the future. I really like the format of this site. I have had Open Mals surgery twice, once for a bypass and then a revision several years later. If there is anyone interested in joining me here let me know.

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I would.

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dearley | @dearley | Jun 6, 2023
In reply to @kanaazpereira "Hi @kariulrich, We have a fairly recent discussion on Celiac Artery Aneurysm; is there any connection..." + (show)
@kanaazpereira

Hi @kariulrich,

We have a fairly recent discussion on Celiac Artery Aneurysm; is there any connection between MALS and celiac artery aneurysms?
You can find the discussion here:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/celiac-artery-aneurysm/

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They are different. MALS comes from a blockage from pressure from the mediun arcuate ligamate, but left untreated, it can cause an aneurysm.

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evenc1 | @evenc1 | Jul 19, 2023

Hi -- I had laparoscopic surgery for MALS last November, and the pain is now back. I don't seem to have a path forward here in North Carolina. My GP ordered a CT scan and the results suggested that the flow through the celiac artery has improved, but I have worse nerve pain than before. No next steps here. Any suggestions or thoughts?

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1 reply
lasirvent | @lasirvent | Jul 20, 2023
In reply to @evenc1 "Hi -- I had laparoscopic surgery for MALS last November, and the pain is now back...." + (show)
@evenc1

Hi -- I had laparoscopic surgery for MALS last November, and the pain is now back. I don't seem to have a path forward here in North Carolina. My GP ordered a CT scan and the results suggested that the flow through the celiac artery has improved, but I have worse nerve pain than before. No next steps here. Any suggestions or thoughts?

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For Neurogenic MALS you need to have a ct scan with pictures taken on inhale and exhale, have a diaphragm that’s low and a CP block which you can eat with no pain. Many doctors treat mals as a blood flow problem only.

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evenc1 | @evenc1 | Jul 20, 2023

I had all those things before the surgery last year.

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dbordner | @dbordner | Aug 6, 2023
In reply to @racheldmark "Hey everyone, This is a new topic of conversation for me, has anyone tried Ketamine infusion..." + (show)
@racheldmark

Hey everyone,

This is a new topic of conversation for me, has anyone tried Ketamine infusion treatment for chronic nerve pain reduction?

A friend of mine had amazing results with depression treatment so I thought I would look into it. I just contacted this local clinic and will let you know what I find out. Reading through the Infusion Clinic of Albuquerque's website has extensive documentation on recent research that looks very promising: infusionclinicabq.com/providers

Thanks,
--Rachel

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I have chronic abdominal pain caused by nerve damage in my abdomen following a surgery in March. This past week I had my first Ketamine Infusion after reading a lot of information about it. So far I have not seen any great results, but it may take a couple of days I am told. I have also been told that I may need to have one or two more infusions in the next couple weeks to see any reduction in pain.

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