Síndrome del ligamento arcuato medio: a propósito de tres casos y revisión de la literatura

Median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS) or celiac artery compression syndrome is caused by extrinsic compression of the median arcuate ligament, prominent fibrous bands and ganglionic periaortic tissue. It is asymptomatic on many occasions, but can present with symptoms such as, abdominal pain after eating or during exercise, nausea, vomiting, and loss of weight. We present three patients, one of whom was asymptomatic. The other two required surgical treatment, using laparoscopic release in one, and open surgery on the other. A clinical improvement was achieved in both cases and the follow-up by colour Doppler ultrasound was satisfactory. MALS is a rare abdominal pain condition. The less invasive diagnostic techniques, such as colour Doppler ultrasound and pre-operative angioCT, obtain good results compared to angioplasty. Surgical treatment using a laparoscopic approach, whether or not it is associated with endovascular revascularisation treatment, is a safe and effective therapeutic technique.