What is medium arcuate ligament syndrome?

13 February 2024

It is a rare condition caused by the middle arcuate ligament compressing the celiac trunk, which connects the pillars of the diaphragm, causing abdominal cramps in some cases.

Although the origin of medium arcuate ligament syndrome is unknown, certain conditions can favor its development, such as:

  • Genetics.
  • Blow to the upper part of the stomach.
  • Pancreas surgery.

Also known as celiac artery compression, celiac axis syndrome, or Dunbar syndrome, medium arcuate ligament syndrome can appear at any age, even in babies.

Signs and symptoms medium arcuate ligament syndrome

  • Swollen abdomen.
  • Abdominal pain.
  • Stomach pain after eating, exercising, or changing posture.
  • Diarrhea.
  • Constipation.
  • Nausea.
  • Rapid weight loss.
  • Abdominal murmur (occasionally).
  • Vomit.

Medium arcuate ligament syndrome risks and complications include:

  • Permanent chronic pain, especially after eating.
  • Anxiety.
  • Depression.
  • Fear of eating due to intense pain.

Diagnosis and treatment medium arcuate ligament syndrome

Diagnosis is complex because the symptoms can be confused with other conditions, so the doctor will analyze your symptoms and clinical history, perform a physical examination, and request a series of tests to confirm that it is indeed medium arcuate ligament syndrome, such as:

  • Ultrasound.
  • Endoscopy.
  • Gastric emptying tests.
  • Blood tests.
  • MRI.
  • Computed tomography.

Medium arcuate ligament syndrome treatment involves a surgical procedure to decompress the ligament, restore blood flow through the artery, and relieve pressure on the nerves.

In ABC Medical Center Internal Medicine Department, we provide you with health care services with the highest quality and safety, from prevention, diagnosis, timely treatment, and follow-up of infectious, respiratory, endocrinological, dermatological, rheumatic, nephrological, gastrointestinal, and hematological conditions, both chronic-degenerative and acute, through a comprehensive and multidisciplinary model.

Related centers and departments medium arcuate ligament syndrome

Internal Medicine
Radiology and Molecular Imaging
Clinical Laboratory

Fuentes:

  • sapd.es
  • intramed.net
  • nih.gov
  • elsevier.es
  • middlesexhealth.org
  • analesderadiologiamexico.com
  • mayoclinic.org
  • medigraphic.com
  • De la Concha TM, Lara RRI, Ramírez GVA, et al. medium arcuate ligament syndrome Rev Fac Med UNAM. 2021;64(4):25–30.
  • Cárdenas QMF, Rojas CS. Síndrome del ligamento arcuato medio, una patología a tomar en cuenta. Revista Médica Sinergia. 2019;4(04):12-17.
  • López CJA, Vera KAC, Plasencia CE, et al. Manejo laparoscópico del síndrome del ligamento arcuato medio, como causa de dolor abdominal crónico. Reporte de caso. Rev Mex Cir Endoscop. 2018;19(4):176-179.
  • Pozzo-Salvatierra BL, Kimura-Fujikami K. Síndrome de compresión del ligamento arcuato medio en angiotomografía computada multicorte. Annals of Radiology Mexico. 2014;13(2):171-175.

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