Further evidence supporting the existence of the celiac artery compression syndrome
R. M. Kernohan, A. A. Barros D'Sa, B. Cranley and H. M. Johnston
A 23-year-old man presented with prolonged postprandial epigastric pain and
an epigastric bruit with systolic and diastolic components, the intensity
of which decreased with inspiration as demonstrated by abdominal
phonography. Arteriography demonstrated significant narrowing of the origin
of the celiac artery. At operation, the origin of the celiac artery was
found to be constricted by fibers of the median arcuate ligament of the
diaphragm, and this ligament was divided. Intraoperative flow measurements
demonstrated an increase in blood flow through the main branches of the
celiac axis, after division of the ligament. Four years following
successful surgery, the patient has continued to be in good health without
symptoms, and the bruit has remained absent. Further abdominal
arteriography has demonstrated the normality of the celiac artery. We
believe this to be a well-proven case of the "celiac artery compression
syndrome."
