Abstract
Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome (MALS), also known as Dunbar syndrome, is a rare condition characterized by extrinsic compression of the celiac artery by the median arcuate ligament. Its diagnosis represents a challenge due to the nonspecific nature of its symptoms and the presence of anatomical celiac artery compression in asymptomatic individuals. This article aims to present the case of a 47-year-old female patient with a six-month history of recurrent abdominal pain, predominantly occurring before and after meals, associated with weight loss and inadequate response to analgesic therapy. Abdominal computed tomography angiography revealed extrinsic compression of the celiac artery, with approximately 50% stenosis. Considering the correlation between the clinical and radiological findings, a diagnosis of MALS was established, and surgical treatment with laparoscopic release of the median arcuate ligament was performed. The patient had a favorable clinical outcome following the procedure, with significant improvement in symptoms. MALS should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with chronic abdominal pain, particularly when symptoms are related to food intake and accompanied by weight loss, after excluding more common causes. Appropriate patient selection based on clinical-radiological correlation is essential to achieve satisfactory outcomes with surgical treatment.