Ultrasonographic diagnosis of median arcuate ligament syndrome: a report of two cases.

The compression of the proximal part of the celiac trunk by median arcuate ligament of the diaphragm during expiration is defined as median arcuate ligament syndrome. It is a rare cause of chronic mesenteric ischemia. We report two cases with this syndrome, primarily diagnosed by Doppler ultrasound. The diagnosis was confirmed with digital substraction and computed tomography angiography in both cases. The role of ultrasound in the diagnostic work up of this syndrome is discussed with regard to the recent literature.