Professional paper

Laparoscopic treatment of median arcuate ligament syndrome - a case report

Angela Velček ; School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Ivo Klarin ; Department of Gastroenterology, Zadar General Hospital, Zadar, Croatia; Department of Health Studies, University of Zadar, Zadar, Croatia
Zvonimir Katušić ; Department of Surgery, Zadar General Hospital, Zadar, Croatia
Iva Pavić ; Department of Radiology, Zadar General Hospital, Zadar, Croatia
Petar Mijić ; Department of Radiology, Zadar General Hospital, Zadar, Croatia
Jakov Mihanović ; Department of Health Studies, University of Zadar, Zadar, Croatia; Department of Surgery, Zadar General Hospital, Zadar, Croatia

Abstract

This report describes the case of a 42-year-old woman who suffered from postprandial
abdominal pain, bouts of tachycardia, belching, tinnitus, and syncope
interfering with everyday life.
After an extensive diagnostic workup, the correct diagnosis was finally established
by computed tomography angiography. The patient had a syndrome
caused by compression of the celiac trunk by the median arcuate ligament,
also known as Dunbar syndrome. It typically affects younger patients, particularly
women, with the triad of postprandial abdominal pain, weight loss, and
abdominal bruit. The patient was successfully treated with laparoscopic decompression
of the celiac trunk and resection of the celiac plexus. The median
arcuate ligament syndrome should be included in the differential diagnosis for
young patients presenting with postprandial epigastric pain, food fear, unintentional
weight loss, and normal upper gastrointestinal endoscopy findings.

Keywords

median arcuate ligament syndrome; celiac trunk compression syndrome; Dunbar syndrome; laparoscopy

Hrčak ID:

351491

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/351491

Publication date:

7.10.2026.

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