Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome — Research Summary
Printed from RareWays (rareways.com.au) on 18 September 2026
For general awareness only. Not medical advice. Discuss all care options with your healthcare team.
5 Most Recent Research Articles
- 1.
Stepwise management of median arcuate ligament syndrome with visceral artery aneurysm: Surgical ligament release followed by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty.
Morita Ryo et al. — Radiology case reports (1 October 2026)
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42433729/
- 2.
The Management of Recurrent Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome
Yamini Vyas et al. — Journal of Vascular Surgery (9 September 2026)
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvs.2026.06.115
- 3.
Median arcuate ligament syndrome
Abdulkhaleq BinNuhaid — Radiopaedia.org (5 September 2026)
https://doi.org/10.53347/rid-243378
- 4.
Editorial Comment: When the Ligament Matters: Recognition, Intervention, and the Limits of Current Evidence for Median Arcuate Ligament Compression Management in Pancreaticoduodenectomy.
Nahi Skylar L et al. — Annals of surgical oncology (4 September 2026)
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42698011/
- 5.
Outcomes of surgical versus conservative treatment in pediatric median arcuate ligament syndrome.
Abi Nassif Mohamad et al. — Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition (1 September 2026)
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42317105/
Source: RareWays research directory. Data from PubMed, Europe PMC, OpenAlex, ClinicalTrials.gov.
Always verify information with your healthcare team before making any decisions about your care.
Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome
Median arcuate ligament syndrome occurs when a band of tissue in the diaphragm presses on the coeliac artery and the nerves around it, restricting blood flow to the upper abdomen. It can cause pain after eating, nausea and weight loss, and is often diagnosed after other causes are ruled out. Treatment usually involves surgery to release the ligament, and research continues into which patients benefit most.
Most Recent Research
A woman in her 20s presented with an 8-year history of postprandial abdominal pain. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed severe stenosis at the origin of the celiac artery, collateral circulation from the superior mesenteric artery, and an associated inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery aneurysm. Respiratory variation in celiac artery compression suggested median arcuate ligament syndrome. However, Doppler ultrasonography revealed an atypical hemodynamic pattern, with a lower peak systolic velocity during expiration than during inspiration. Two laparoscopic median arcuate ligament release procedures were performed, with additional perivascular neural tissue dissection during the second. Despite these interventions, residual celiac artery stenosis and elevated flow velocity persisted. Subsequent angiography and intravascular ultrasound confirmed focal residual stenosis. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty was performed, which increased the minimal luminal diameter from 1.8 to 3.5 mm and improved flow dynamics. Prior to aneurysm treatment, a superior mesenteric artery occlusion test confirmed preserved antegrade flow from the celiac artery to the pancreaticoduodenal arcade. Following restoration of celiac artery inflow, coil embolization of the inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery aneurysm was successfully performed without ischemic complications, following which the patient's abdominal symptoms resolved. This case highlights a stepwise treatment approach that combines laparoscopic median arcuate ligament release and endovascular angioplasty to restore celiac artery inflow before aneurysm embolization in patients with median arcuate ligament syndrome complicated by visceral artery aneurysm.
Common Questions
What is Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome?
Median arcuate ligament syndrome occurs when a band of tissue in the diaphragm presses on the coeliac artery and the nerves around it, restricting blood flow to the upper abdomen. It can cause pain after eating, nausea and weight loss, and is often diagnosed after other causes are ruled out. Treatment usually involves surgery to release the ligament, and research continues into which patients benefit most.
How many clinical trials are available for Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome?
RareWays currently indexes 2 clinical trials for Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome, of which 2 are actively recruiting. Trial availability changes as new studies are registered — check the trials tab for current status.
Where does the research data for Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome come from?
RareWays aggregates research from PubMed, Europe PMC, OpenAlex, and ClinicalTrials.gov. Data is updated regularly by Rocky, RareWays' automated research engine. All articles and trials link directly to their original sources.
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This information is for general awareness only.
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