The cause of the symptoms is thought to be due to either poor blood flow from celiac artery compression, nerve irritation from compression celiac nerve plexus, or a combination of both. Since 13-50% of healthy asymptomatic patients have a form of celiac artery compression and a much smaller percentage of these patients actually report symptoms consistent with MALS,2 there is significant debate amongst doctors regarding the existence, the causes, and the management of MALS. In a study of 75 autopsies, the median arcuate ligament crossed the celiac artery origin entirely (33%) or partially (48%) in a majority of individuals, resulting in significant celiac artery compression.1 The relationship of the ligament to the celiac artery origin determines compression: when the celiac artery comes off the aorta above the diaphragm, this can result in compression when the celiac artery branches off the aorta below the diaphragm, there is no compression. The median arcuate ligament is formed by the merging of the right and left attachments of the diaphragm as they cross over the aorta as it enters the abdominal cavity from the chest. There is a surgical procedure that can be performed that is effective in approximately 60-80% of patients. The diagnosis is made based on a combination of the clinical symptoms and radiology imaging. irritable bowel syndrome, abdominal migraine). In some patients the symptoms can be devastating and can lead to erroneous diagnoses of an eating disorder, psychiatric conditions, or functional abdominal pain (e.g. Other symptoms include nausea and weight loss. While the exact cause of the pain is unknown, compression of the celiac artery and/or the celiac plexus nerves by the diaphragm can result in pain that is worsened with eating or sometimes with exercise. Chronic abdominal pain is a very common condition that can have significant negative, long-term psychosocial consequences, including increased risk for anxiety, school and work absences, poor functional capacity, and a poor quality of life.

The median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS) is a cause of chronic abdominal pain affecting both children and adults alike. 5 Myths About Orphan Drugs and the Orphan Drug Act.Information on Clinical Trials and Research Studies.

False ligament of urinary bladder