title: External compression of the superior mesenteric artery by the median arcuate ligament.
abstract: The median arcuate ligament can compress the proximal portion of the celiac artery causing symptoms of chronic mesenteric ischemia. This rare condition typically affects young women and often poses a diagnostic challenge. Compression of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) in addition to the celiac artery represents an unusual variant of median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS). We present a case of MALS resulting predominantly from external compression of the SMA. Diagnostic and therapeutic options are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Division of Vascular Surgery, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA.
authors.forename: Jeffrey J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Stein
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Costanza
authors.forename: Mariel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rivero
authors.forename: Vivian
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Gahtan
authors.forename: Kwame S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Amankwah
mesh_terms: D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology; D000328:Adult; D002445:Celiac Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic; D019299:Decompression, Surgical; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D008022:Ligaments / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D017538:Mesenteric Artery, Superior / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D065666:Mesenteric Ischemia; D008641:Mesenteric Vascular Occlusion / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018616:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*