Seven-Year Medical Mystery Solved at SMS Hospital
In a remarkable medical achievement, doctors at Jaipur's Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital have successfully treated a 34-year-old man from Sikar who had been suffering from an extremely rare vascular condition for nearly seven years. The patient's main artery supplying blood to his digestive organs was nearly 70% blocked, but surprisingly, the obstruction wasn't caused by plaque buildup typical of cardiovascular diseases.
The Hidden Condition: Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome
The patient was diagnosed with Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome (MALS), an uncommon condition where a fibrous band of tissue in the upper abdomen compresses the celiac artery. This critical blood vessel is responsible for supplying oxygen-rich blood to the stomach, spleen, and liver.
Over his seven-year ordeal, the patient's health deteriorated significantly. He experienced severe post-meal abdominal pain, loss of appetite, anxiety, and persistent digestive issues. His condition took a dramatic turn for the worse in recent months when he began vomiting frequently, completely avoided food, and lost approximately 20 kilograms in just six months.
The situation became critical when his haemoglobin levels dropped to a dangerously low 5.8 g/dL, far below the normal range for adult males. Despite consulting multiple doctors over the years, routine investigations including blood tests and sonography failed to identify the root cause of his suffering.
Breakthrough Diagnosis and Robotic Surgical Solution
The medical mystery was finally solved when doctors at SMS Hospital conducted a CT angiography that revealed the compression of the celiac artery. According to Dr. Jeevan Kankaria, Senior Professor of Surgery, diagnosing MALS is particularly challenging because its symptoms often mimic common gastric issues or acidity.
"Routine investigations rarely detect this condition. Without CT angiography, the diagnosis would have remained elusive," Dr. Kankaria emphasized, highlighting the diagnostic challenges posed by this rare syndrome.
On November 17, the surgical team performed a sophisticated robotic surgery to release the pressure exerted by the ligament on the artery and surrounding nerves. The procedure successfully restored normal blood flow, significantly reducing the 70% blockage caused by the anatomical compression.
Complete Recovery and Return to Normal Life
The results were nothing short of miraculous. Just ten days after the surgery, the hospital's Department of Surgery reported that the patient had completely recovered from his long-standing condition. He has resumed normal eating patterns and has already begun gaining weight, marking the end of his seven-year health struggle.
This case highlights the importance of advanced diagnostic techniques in identifying rare conditions that conventional tests might miss. The successful treatment at SMS Hospital demonstrates how robotic surgery can provide precise solutions for complex vascular compressions, offering new hope for patients suffering from similar rare conditions across India.
