Overview

Median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS) occurs when the arc-shaped band of tissue in the chest area (median arcuate ligament) presses on, or traps, the artery that supplies blood to the organs in your upper abdomen (celiac artery).

The location of the median arcuate ligament and celiac artery varies slightly from person to person. Typically, the ligament runs across the largest blood vessel in the body (aorta) and sits above the celiac artery without causing problems. But sometimes the ligament or artery may be out of place, causing MALS. The ligament may also put pressure on the network of nerves surrounding the celiac artery (celiac plexus).

MALS may occur in anyone, even children. Other names for MALS are:

• Celiac artery compression
• Celiac axis syndrome
• Dunbar syndrome

Treatment involves surgery to release (decompress) the ligament and restore blood flow through the artery.