Celiac Artery Stenosis Symptoms
Celiac artery stenosis--also known as celiac artery compression syndrome--is an unusual abnormality that results in a severe decrease in the amount of blood that reaches the stomach and abdominal region. Seen most often in young, underweight women, celiac artery stenosis sufferers display a number of distinct symptoms. The condition is not completely understood and treatment options are controversial.
Definition
Celiac artery stenosis is a condition in which the celiac artery--a major artery in the abdomen that provides bloodflow to the stomach, liver, pancreas and small intestine--is compressed by the abnormal development of the median arcuate ligament. As the ligament pushes onto the celiac artery, it restricts that amount of blood the artery delivers to the abdominal area, causing a variety of symptoms.
Gastrointestinal Symptoms
The most common symptoms of celiac artery stenosis are gastrointestinal and include abdominal pain after eating, often severe weight loss and a sharp, persistent pain in the upper section of the abdomen.
Cardiovascular Symptoms
Another unusual symptom of celiac artery stenosis is the presence of an abdominal bruit. An abdominal bruit is a murmur--an abnormal sound in the flow of blood--that can be detected by listening with a stethoscope over the part of the abdomen where the abdominal aorta lies.
Cause
The exact cause of celiac artery stenosis remains unknown; however, medical researchers have determined that abnormal placement of the ligament that is responsible for the condition is present at birth. Other research that indicates twins have a higher incidence of having the defect than non-twins, suggests that the problem begins with abnormal development of the embryo or fetus in the uterus.
Treatment
The main treatment for celiac artery stenosis is surgery in which the median arcuate ligament's compression of the celiac artery is removed. However, the procedure remains controversial since not all sufferers of the condition experience an alleviation of symptoms after the surgery has been performed.
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