title: Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome in a patient with Crohn's disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome is a rare condition characterized by postprandial abdominal pain, bowel function disorder and weight loss. We report the first case to our knowledge of Crohn's disease and Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome.
  
  
  METHODS
  The patient was a 33 year-old female with a previous diagnosis of Crohn's disease. Acute postprandial abdominal pain affected the patient every day; she was, therefore, referred to US-Doppler and magnetic resonance angiography of the abdominal vessels and received a diagnosis of Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome. Consequently, the patient was surgically treated, releasing the vascular compression. After the operation, she reported a complete relief from postprandial pain which was one of her major concerns. Subocclusive symptoms occurred after six months due to the inflammatory reactivation of the terminal ileitis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The diagnosis of Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome is mainly based on the exclusion of other intestinal disorders but it should be always confirmed using noninvasive tests such as US-Doppler, angio-CT or magnetic resonance angiography.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This case demonstrates that the Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome could be the major cause of symptoms, even in presence of other abdominal disorders.
authors.affiliation: Digestive Surgery Unit, Department of Clinical Pathophysiology, University of Florence Medical School, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy. Electronic address: alexstur@yahoo.it.
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sturiale
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Alemanno
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Giudici
authors.forename: Rami
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Addasi
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bellucci
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tonelli