Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome - Medtick
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Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome

What is it?

A rare condition in which the median arcuate ligament (located under the diaphragm in the abdomen – the muscle that is under the lungs and helps us to breathe) compresses the celiac artery (a major branch of the aorta that delivers blood to the stomach, liver, and other organs) and the nerves in the area (celiac plexus).

  • It disrupts the  blood flow to the stomach, liver, and other organs and this can cause these organs to function less well and even cause death to the tissue in these organs.
  • It is also known as:
    • Celiac artery compression syndrome
    • Celiac axis syndrome
    • Dunbar syndrome
    • Harjola-Marable syndrome

Cause

  • Unknown

Symptoms

  • Severe Abdominal pain when eating or exercising (diaphragm is working harder than usual and hence compressing the blood supply to stomach and other organs)?
  • Abdominal bloating?
  • Abdominal bruit (a distinct noise heard with a stethoscope when listening to the stomach, this is present in about 35% of patients and indicates a vascular blockage)?
  • Chest pain?
  • Nausea and/or sickness feeling?
  • Abdominal pain and/or are constant violently vomiting or vomiting longer than two days (one day if a child)?
  • Constipation?
  • Diarrhoea?
  • Difficulty sleeping and/or lack of sleep?
  • Unintentional weight loss?

Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:

Medical Emergency Condition

Do not wait, phone for an ambulance

This condition can be related to:

This condition may show similar symptoms to:

Detailed Information

Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).

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