Background: Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome (MALS) has a long and controversial past. Currently a diagnosis of exclusion, MALS is considered in patients suffering from functional abdominal pain who have typically had extensive prior workups. More common in slender, young women, MALS patients classically present with postprandial epigastric pain, nausea, weight loss, and occasional diarrhea. Since it was first described in 1963, debate has continued as to the pathophysiology of the disease with authors disagreeing whether symptoms are due to mesenteric ischemia and vascular steal phenomenon or compression of the celiac plexus and resulting neuropathy. The association with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) in the pediatric population adds further speculation to the exact etiology. Surgical treatment for MALS is becoming more common, particularly in the pediatric population. Recent technical advances in ultrasound and cross sectional imaging have led to an increased role of diagnostic radiologists in the diagnosis of MALS. Imaging provides an objective measurement in a sea of subjective complaints, with the results often dictating whether surgery is even considered. Read More

Meeting name: IPR 2016 Conjoint Meeting & Exhibition , 2016

Authors: Lewis Paul, Bandarkar Anjum, Bulas Dorothy, Kane Timothy

Keywords: MALS, GI, Vascular