AN INTERESTING CASE OF MEDIAN ARCUATE LIGAMENT SYNDROME

AN INTERESTING CASE OF MEDIAN ARCUATE LIGAMENT SYNDROME BSGAR submission 6 -8 th February 2019 Coomer W, Jeffries J, Pallas R, Parry C, Eynon A, Foliaki A, Ellis-Owen R

OBJECTIVES Clinical information Figures Final Diagnosis Key learning points Discussion

CLINICAL INFORMATION HPC • 20 F student • Presented with 2 day history of severe post-prandial abdominal pain and vomiting. • Mild weight loss • FBC - Hb 137, WCC 7. 3, Plts 262 • U/E normal. CRP 1 PMH • Cholecystectomy, Appendicectomy, Ehler’s Dahnlos syndrome • Previous coeliac artery stenosis diagnosed in USA 1 year previously • This required PICC line insertion and TPN feeding CT scan requested by surgical on call team…

PORTAL VENOUS PHASE

CT ANGIOGRAM AXIAL 1

CT ANGIOGRAM AXIAL 2

CT ANGIOGRAM AXIAL 3

CT ANGIOGRAM SAGITTAL

CT ANGIOGRAM 3 D RECONSTRUCTIONS

USS DOPPLER 1

USS DOPPLER 2

MEDIAN ARCUATE LIGAMENT Ligament formed at the base of the diaphragm Unites the left and right diaphragmatic crura near T 12 vertebra Fibrous arch forms anterior aspect of the aortic hiatus - through which the aorta, thoracic duct and azygous vein pass

MEDIAN ARCUATE LIGAMENT SYNDROME Vague constellation of symptoms which can include : • epigastric pain, postprandial pain, chronic non-specific abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, weight loss Often a diagnosis of exclusion – reliant on clinical features and imaging findings Investigations include – CT angiogram and duplex ultrasonography CT – focal narrowing of coeliac artery with post-stenotic dilatation USS – Peak systolic velocities of >200 cm/s are suggestive of MALS

MEDIAN ARCUATE LIGAMENT SYNDROME

MEDIAN ARCUATE LIGAMENT SYNDROME

MANAGEMENT OF MALS Controversial! Kim et al (2016) performed meta-analysis of accurate diagnosis and successful treatment for patients with MALS • Imaging techniques included : Mesenteric duplex ultrasonography, CT angiography, MR angiography, gastric tonometry, and mesenteric arteriography • Surgical interventions included : open, laparoscopic, or robotic ligament release; celiac ganglionectomy; and coeliac artery revascularization You et al (2013) compared open laparotomy vs robotic assisted laparoscopic approach – complete resolution of symptoms 1 month post-operatively Angioplasty with stenting has been used in recalcitrant cases

FINAL DIAGNOSIS IN OUR CASE STUDY Diagnosis of MALS made Patient under care of Upper GI surgeon and decision made for theatre Laparoscopic release of Median Arcuate Ligament performed OUTCOME • Patient’s post-prandial pain improved following surgery • continued to suffer with nausea and vomiting • Post surgical contrast swallow showed no mechanical cause for vomiting

INTRAOPERATIVE IMAGES

KEY LEARNING POINTS • Importance of understanding past medical history when interpreting scan • MALS often a diagnosis of exclusion – consider other investigations primarily • Awareness of median arcuate ligament syndrome as possibility for coeliac axis stenosis • Treatment options – including conservative, surgical, ? ? interventional

DISCUSSION This case highlights complexity of diagnosis of MALS Diagnostic workup and therapeutic intervention can be challenging Why the symptoms? Several theories • Compression of coeliac axis causes ischaemia, or decreased blood flow to abdominal organs – causing abdominal pain. • Ligament causes compression of coeliac ganglia which can lead to pain Keep MALS in mind with patients with symptoms that may include post-prandial pain, chronic mesenteric pain, weight loss

REFERENCES Case courtesy of Dr Matt Skalski, Radiopaedia. org, r. ID: 36837 ‘Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome—Review of This Rare Disease’. Kim et al, JAMA surg, 2016; 151(5): 471 -477. doi: 10. 1001/jamasurg. 2016. 0002 ‘Treatment of Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome Via Traditional and Robotic Techniques’. You et al, Hawaii Journal of Medical Public Health. 2013 Aug; 72(8): 279– 281

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