Correspondence to Author: Rahul Siwach, Devyani Verma, Parveen Malhotra, Bibin CF, Aakansha, Aditi, Avani Sharma, Abhishek Yadav. 

Department of Medical Gastroenterology, Anaesthesiology & Health map Diagnostics Pvt. Ltd, PGIMS, Rohtak, Haryana, India.

DOI: 10.52338/jjogastro.2026.5465

Abstract:

Introduction:Median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS), also known as Dunbar syndrome, is a rare cause of chronic abdominal pain due to extrinsic compression of the celiac artery by median arcuate ligament. Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome (MALS) also known as Celiac Axis Compression Syndrome (CACS) or Dunbar syndrome which is a very rare condition with an incidence of about 2 cases per 100,000 patients caused by compression of the celiac trunk by the median arcuate ligament.
Case report: We report a middle-aged female who presented with postprandial abdominal pain, initially normal ultrasound, but escalating postprandial symptoms. Contrast- enhanced CT (CECT), revealed classic findings, confirmed by CT angiography showing moderate celiac narrowing and mild superior mesenteric artery involvement. Conservative management provided relief. This case underscores the value of targeted vascular imaging in refractory pain.
Conclusion: Dunbar syndrome is rare phenomenon but should be always kept in differentia diagnosis of refractory pain abdomen, especially post -prandial one. It is diagnosed on radiological investigations.

Keywords: Median arcuate ligament syndrome, Dunbar syndrome, celiac artery compression, postprandial pain, CT angiography.

Citation:

Dr. Parveen Malhotra, Dunbar Syndrome- A Rare Phenomenon. Japanese Journal of Gastroenterology 2026.