MEDIAN ARCUATE LIGAMENT SYNDROME (MALS)
This site is only for informational purposes.
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MALS FEELS LIKE...​
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WHAT IS MALS?​
The MALS Foundation thoroughly describes MALS on their website. click here for info
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Anorexia Nervosa and Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome (MALS): Vascular and Endovascular Surgery
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Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome in Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)
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Celiac Trunk Compression / Dunbar syndrome / MALS / Arcuate ligament syndrome
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Median arcuate ligament syndrome – Current state of management
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A diagnostic workup and laparoscopic approach for median arcuate ligament syndrome
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Median arcuate ligament syndrome: A case report of a rare disease
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An Atypical Presentation of Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome
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Often Overlooked Diagnosis: Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome as a Mimicker of Crohn's Disease
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Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome: It Is Not Always Gastritis
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Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome a dilemma of a delayed diagnosis of a rare disease: A Case Report
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Laparoscopic treatment of symptomatic Dunbar syndrome: a case report
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Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome: An Unusual Cause of Chronic Abdominal Pain
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Connecting the dots with EDS, POTS, MCAS, GI, Neurological and Physiotherapy in managing pain in EDS
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Fitting the Pieces of the Puzzle Together: A Case of Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome
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Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome Masquerading as Functional Abdominal Pain Syndrome
​When looking for research articles, it can be helpful to search other conditions you have and MALS to see if they are related. If you are specifically concerned about the treatment, it can be helpful to search that specific treatment. Check with your local library if the articles you need aren't free. Google Scholar is helpful and has a lot of free resources.​
HELPFUL RESEARCH ARTICLES AND MEDICAL SITES​
Research articles can be helpful and validating, but frequently there is a lack of research.
GETTING A DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT​
If you think you have MALS, use this info to get to the right doctor or ask your primary care doctor to preform the tests.
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Many struggle for years to get a MALS diagnosis and are instead told they have anxiety or an eating disorder. We recommend that you find a doctor familiar with MALS for a thorough evaluation before giving up on this diagnosis, especially if you have POTS, dysautonomia, or EDS.
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Some doctors require different tests, but tests commonly required for diagnosis include a CT of the abdomen and pelvis with contrast (can be ordered by any doctor), a celiac plexus block (usually done by an interventional radiologist)​, and an ultrasound to check the celiac velocity and the mesenteric artery. A doppler ultrasound protocol can be found in the MALS Pals FB group files. A "Path to Diagnosis" can be found in the MALS Awareness Community FB group files.
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Multiple specialists treat MALS. The MALS Facebook groups below will have doctor recommendations in your state or a near by state. There is some debate between open and arthroscopic surgeries, but we think the success rate of the doctor is more important to consider as well as the location of the doctor and accessibility. It is important to find a physician who takes nerve involvement into consideration because some symptoms of dysautonomia can relieved by removing scar tissue around the celiac plexus.
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If you have MALS and left sided pain, epigastric pain, struggle to eat, or you feel like you have more than just MALS, check out our pages on dysautonomia, POTS, Hypermobility, Nutcracker Syndrome, ME/CFS, SMAS, MCAS, and Pelvic Congestion Syndrome. Sometimes POTS symptoms are alleviated by treating vascular compressions.
‘This is clearly a case of anorexia. You’re a teenage ballerina refusing food.’ No one believed me. Every doctor gave up, except one.’: Woman with MALS misdiagnosed after 20 years
'Grey's Anatomy' Episode Highlights the Frustration of Doctors Dismissing Your Pain
Young woman misdiagnosed with anorexia actually had a rare syndrome
Healthbeat Report: Tummy Trouble
For four years, Sara Cohen was told by doctors she was anorexic. She wasn't.
Mackenzie Hild found relief for her median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS) at UChicago Medicine
Think Like a Doctor: A Terrible Stomachache Solved!
Former Luers, North Side football standout Randon Moore finds relief after long health battle
Buckley teen enjoying 'life 2.0' after years of chronic pain
Pushed beyond pain: All hope in German fix for agonising mix of illnesses​
Woman living with rare disease shares importance of being your own advocate
Kiwi fundraising to get life-changing surgery in Germany because New Zealand is 'letting her die'
More than a marathon
Senior Olivia Colombo used self-advocacy, bravery, and sheer force of will to turn a dire medical prognosis into her proudest athletic achievement
Orillia woman opens up about rare disorder, hopes others come forward
Springville community rallies around teen with rare disorder
IN THE NEWS​
Many people share their stories because it was so difficult to get a diagnosis.
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FACEBOOK GROUPS FOR MALS​
It can be helpful to connect with others about their experiences. You can ask about doctors in your state, how their treatment went, compare symptoms, and get support from others who understand what it's like to have MALS.
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Try to join groups with the most members to give you a larger sample size and a higher probability of finding someone with symptoms like yours.
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Remember that Facebook is public and follow the group rules.
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Go to this page for more helpful hints on using Facebook as a resource.
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We've listed a few groups, but there are others. Pick your favorite and disregard the others.
