Celiac axis compression by median arcuate ligament on computed tomography among asymptomatic persons.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Compression of celiac artery by median arcuate ligament (MAL) may cause abdominal symptoms. This study looked at the prevalence of this finding in asymptomatic persons.

METHODS

Abdominal angiograms of 155 healthy asymptomatic voluntary kidney donors aged 18-65 years, done as part of the standard pretransplant work up, were reviewed retrospectively.

RESULTS

Celiac axis compression, defined as greater than 50% luminal narrowing of the celiac artery by the MAL was found in eight (5.1%) of 155 angiograms.

CONCLUSION

The high frequency of this finding re-emphasizes the need for caution in attributing abdominal symptoms to such compression based on imaging findings alone.