• MedStar Heart and Vascular Institute
  • Doctors
  • Appointments
  • Conditions & Treatments
  • Locations
  • Search
  • Menu
Don’t delay your care! Call 888-354-3422 to schedule a video visit with a specialist today!

Find a doctor or specialist that meet your needs

Need Help? Email [email protected]

Close Menu
    • Find a Doctor
    • Find a Location
    • Request an Appointment
 

Newsroom

For Patients

  • Conditions & Treatments
  • Programs and Services
  • Patient Resources
  • Why Choose Us
  • Ways to Give

For Medical Professionals

  • Careers
  • Educational Opportunities
  • Publications and Case Studies
  • Research
arrow_back Conditions & Treatments

Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome (MALS)

Call for an appointment or referral
888-354-3422

email Email a Question
menu Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome (MALS)
  • Overview
    • Tests
    • Treatments
    • Physicians
  • Overview arrow_forward
  • Tests arrow_forward
  • Treatments arrow_forward
  • Physicians arrow_forward

A condition that reduces blood flow to the digestive system and causes severe abdominal pain

Expert Heart & Vascular Care

Getting the care you need starts with seeing one of our heart or vascular specialists.

Request an Appointment

The celiac artery is a branch of the aorta that delivers blood to the stomach, liver and other organs. When the celiac artery becomes pinched between the median arcuate ligament, which wraps around the aorta to connect the diaphragm and the spine, and the celiac plexus nerves around the aorta, it’s known as median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS).

The reduced blood flow to the digestive system can cause:

  • Abdominal pain, often after eating
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Pain-induced loss of appetite
  • Weight loss

Tests

Diagnosing median arcuate ligament syndrome is the first step to developing a treatment plan. Our specialists may recommend one or more diagnostic and imaging procedures.

Angiogram (Angiography)

An angiogram is a special X-ray taken as a special dye is injected through a thin, flexible tube called a catheter to detect blockages or aneurysms in blood vessels.

Cardiac Catheterization

Cardiac catheterization is a minimally invasive way to diagnose and treat a variety of heart and vascular conditions by guiding thin, flexible tubes called catheters through blood vessels to problem areas.

Computerized Tomography (CT) Scan

The cardiac computed tomography scan, or cardiac CT, uses X-rays to create three-dimensional images of your heart and blood vessels.

Echocardiogram

An echocardiogram uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of your heart.

Treatments

Treatment for median arcuate ligament syndrome likely will require surgery to release the ligament to reduce the pressure on the celiac artery. The vascular surgeons in our Vascular and Endovascular Program offer the latest innovative and minimally invasive procedures to treat conditions such as median arcuate ligament syndrome.

Aortic Surgery

Aortic surgery describes a variety of procedures to treat conditions that affect the aorta.

Physicians

View all arrow_forward
21 Doctors & Specialists
Dr. Jason Andrew Chin, MD
Dr. Jason Andrew Chin, MD
Vascular Surgery
5601 Loch Raven Boulevard Smyth Bldg Ste 303 Baltimore, MD 21239
(443) 444-3431
View Profile
Schedule Appointment
Dr. Ayesha Nzeribe Hatch, MD
Dr. Ayesha Nzeribe Hatch, MD
Vascular Surgery
106 Irving Street Northwest Suite NW Washington, DC 20010
(202) 877-3100
View Profile
Request Appointment
Dr. John Harvey, MD
Dr. John Harvey, MD
Vascular Surgery
(256)
24035 Three Notch Road Hollywood, MD 20636
(301) 373-7900
View Profile
Request Appointment
Dr. Krystal C. Maloni, MD
Dr. Krystal C. Maloni, MD
Vascular Surgery
106 Irving Street Northwest Suite NW Washington, DC 20010
202-416-2000
View Profile
Request Appointment
Dr. Lucy B. Kupersmith, MD
Dr. Lucy B. Kupersmith, MD
Vascular Surgery
1630 Main Street Suite 208 Chester, MD 21619
(410) 571-8430
View Profile
Request Appointment
Dr. Joshua A. Dearing, MD
Dr. Joshua A. Dearing, MD
Vascular Surgery
(184)
7501 Surratts Road 208 Clinton, MD 20735
301-877-7353
View Profile
Request Appointment
Dr. Javairiah Fatima, MD
Dr. Javairiah Fatima, MD
Vascular Surgery
18101 Prince Philip Drive Olney, MD 20832
(301) 774-8962
View Profile
Schedule Appointment
Dr. Geetha Jeyabalan, MD
Dr. Geetha Jeyabalan, MD
Vascular Surgery
(246)
2002 Medical Parkway Suite 520 Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 571-8430
View Profile
Request Appointment
Dr. Suzanne Siefert Kool, MD
Dr. Suzanne Siefert Kool, MD
Vascular Surgery
(170)
5601 Loch Raven Boulevard GSH SMYTH BLDG Baltimore, MD 21239
(410) 554-2950
View Profile
Schedule Appointment
Dr. Cameron M. Akbari, MD, MBA
Dr. Cameron M. Akbari, MD, MBA
Vascular Surgery
(269)
106 Irving Street Northwest Suite 3600 Washington, DC 20010
(202) 444-2255
View Profile
Schedule Appointment
Dr. Kevin Arthur Brown, MD
Dr. Kevin Arthur Brown, MD
Vascular Surgery
3333 North Calvert Street Suite 325 Baltimore, MD 21218
View Profile
Request Appointment
Dr. Steven David Abramowitz, MD
Dr. Steven David Abramowitz, MD
Vascular Surgery
(224)
106 Irving Street Northwest Suite 3150 Washington, DC 20010
(202) 877-0275
View Profile
Request Appointment
Dr. Mark O'Brien Peeler, MD
Dr. Mark O'Brien Peeler, MD
Vascular Surgery
(445)
2002 Medical Parkway Suite 520 Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 571-8430
View Profile
Request Appointment
Dr. Misaki Mikki Kiguchi, MD
Dr. Misaki Mikki Kiguchi, MD
Vascular Surgery
(342)
3800 Reservoir Road Northwest 4th Floor Washington, DC 20007
(202) 444-2255
View Profile
Schedule Appointment
Dr. Arthur Flatau, III, MD
Dr. Arthur Flatau, III, MD
Vascular Surgery
(301)
25500 Point Lookout Road Floor 2 Leonardtown, MD 20650
(240) 434-4072
View Profile
Request Appointment
Dr. Stephen Fulvio Stanziale, MD
Dr. Stephen Fulvio Stanziale, MD
Vascular Surgery
(275)
9101 Franklin Square Drive Outpatient Center, Suite 212 Baltimore, MD 21237
(443)-777-1900
View Profile
Schedule Appointment
Dr. Jason Ryan Crowner, MD
Dr. Jason Ryan Crowner, MD
Vascular Surgery
5601 Loch Raven Boulevard GSH SMYTH BLDG Baltimore, MD 21239
View Profile
Schedule Appointment
Dr. Edward Yiming Woo, MD
Dr. Edward Yiming Woo, MD
Vascular Surgery
(229)
106 Irving Street Northwest Physician Office Building North Tower, Suite 3150 Washington, DC 20010
(202) 877-0275
View Profile
Schedule Appointment
Dr. Margaret Walkup Arnold, MD
Dr. Margaret Walkup Arnold, MD
Vascular Surgery
9000 Franklin Square Drive Baltimore, MD 21237
View Profile
Schedule Appointment
Dr. Raghuveer Vallabhaneni, MD
Dr. Raghuveer Vallabhaneni, MD
Vascular Surgery
(173)
3333 North Calvert Street Johnston Professional Building Baltimore, MD 21218
(410) 554-2950
View Profile
Schedule Appointment
Dr. Abdullah A. Alfawaz, MD
Dr. Abdullah A. Alfawaz, MD
Vascular Surgery
18109 Prince Philip Drive Basement Olney, MD 20832
(202) 877-0275
View Profile
Request Appointment
loading
Download our Cardiovascular Performance & Outcomes Booklet!
Download
  • Find a Doctor 
  • Find a Location location_on
  • Request an Appointment today
  • myMedStar lock
  • Don't Show Again Close close
     
     Don't show this to me again
     
    Top vertical_align_top   Quick Tools
     

    MEDSTARHEALTH.ORG

    Request an Appointment
    Call for an appointment or referral
    888-354-3422
    Patients & Visitors
    • Patients & Visitors
      • Doctors
      • Locations
      • Programs and Services
      • Conditions & Treatments
      • myMedStar
      • Patient Resources
      • Patient Stories
      • About Us
      • Why Choose Us
    Medical Professionals
    • Medical Professionals
      • Careers
      • Educational Opportunities
      • Resources
    Research & Resources
    • Research & Resources
      • Cleveland Clinic Alliance
      • Clinical Trials Research
      • Innovations
      • Resources
      • Research and Innovations
    Ways to Give Back
    • Give Back
    Stay Connected

    Stay Connected

    Ride With Uber | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Feedback © 2019 MEDSTAR HEALTH