Median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS) is a rare and underdiagnosed disease that often causes chronic pain in the upper part of the abdomen, which is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and/or weight loss. These symptoms have been attributed to vascular compression (celiac artery compression syndrome, CACS) and are oftentimes misdiagnosed with GERD, gastroparesis, liver conditions, gallbladder problems, irritable bowel syndrome, and/or abdominal migraine. Although it can affect men, MALS is more predominant in young females between the ages of 18 to 25, less than 0.1% of the population.
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., Aug. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Last November, Dr. Danny Shouhed, an expert at foregut disease and disorders involving the upper GI tract, co-authored an article titled, "Clinico-pathologic findings in patients with median arcuate ligament syndrome (celiac artery compression syndrome)" in the Annals of Diagnostic Pathology - Volume 52, June 2021 edition: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33798927/.
The study describes the clinico-pathologic findings of four MALS patients who underwent robotic or laparoscopic surgery at Cedars Sinai Hospital. The findings of this study supported neurogenic compression as a contributing factor in the development of pain and other MALS symptoms and favor the use of MALS rather than CACS as diagnostic terminology. It was determined that to further study the pathogenesis of this unusual syndrome, surgeons should submit all tissues excised during MALS procedures for histopathologic examination.
"There is still so much we don't know about MALS. Our journal article is the first to show that there may, in fact, be a neurogenic component to the debilitating syndrome," said Dr. Shouhed.
Patients suffering from MALS travel from around the globe to consult with Dr. Shouhed. With his extensive knowledge and specialized training, he is uniquely qualified to offer patients innovative robotic MALS surgery as a possible option for treatment. He has published over 50 peer-reviewed journal articles and chapters in the Journal of JAMA Surgery, JACS, and other reputable journals, including several articles specifically on MALS.
**For Spanish-language media: Dr. Danny Shouhed conducts interviews in Spanish.
About Dr. Danny Shouhed
Dr. Danny Shouhed is a board-certified and top robotic general surgeon in Los Angeles. He is a renowned expert in gastrointestinal, metabolic, and bariatric surgical intervention, training many of his colleagues in complex techniques. His specialties include MALS, gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, revision bariatric surgery, hernia repair, spleen and gallbladder surgery, colon and small intestine disorders, appendix removal and GI cancer surgery. To learn more about Dr. Danny Shouhed's practice and his professional services, please visit https://www.drdannyshouhed.com.
Media Contact
Natalia Grazziani, Danny Shouhed, M.D., (310) 890-5834, [email protected]
SOURCE Danny Shouhed, M.D.

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