Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome With Severe Two-Vessel Involvement

Abstract

• Intestinal angina is an unusual condition caused by decreased blood supply to the abdominal viscera. It has been hypothesized that at least two of the three vessels supplying the viscera need to be compromised to cause ischemia. On the other hand, compression of the celiac axis by the medium arcuate ligament, causing symptoms, has been reported. We described a severely symptomatic patient in whom this ligament completely occluded the celiac axis and severely narrowed the superior mesenteric artery. The condition was cured by division of the ligament. (Arch Surg 1984;119:226-227)