From the Research
Median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS) does not typically cause leukocytosis. MALS is a vascular compression disorder where the median arcuate ligament compresses the celiac artery, leading to symptoms like abdominal pain, weight loss, and postprandial discomfort. Leukocytosis, which is an elevated white blood cell count, is not a characteristic feature of MALS. The primary pathophysiology of MALS involves vascular compression and potential ischemia, not an inflammatory or infectious process that would trigger an immune response resulting in increased white blood cells.
If a patient with suspected MALS presents with leukocytosis, clinicians should consider other concurrent conditions such as infection, inflammation, or other pathologies that commonly cause elevated white blood cell counts. Diagnostic workup for MALS typically includes vascular imaging studies like CT angiography, Doppler ultrasound, or magnetic resonance angiography to visualize the celiac artery compression, rather than blood tests for inflammatory markers. According to the study by 1, MALS is a controversial diagnosis with variable symptom severity and unpredictable response to treatment, but there is no mention of leukocytosis as a characteristic feature.
It's worth noting that the term "MALS" is also used in a different context, referring to macrophage activation-like syndrome, which is associated with increased ferritin levels and can cause leukocytosis, as seen in the study by 2. However, in the context of median arcuate ligament syndrome, leukocytosis is not a typical feature.
Key points to consider:
- MALS is a vascular compression disorder that does not typically cause leukocytosis
- Leukocytosis is not a characteristic feature of MALS
- Diagnostic workup for MALS includes vascular imaging studies, not blood tests for inflammatory markers
- If a patient with suspected MALS presents with leukocytosis, consider other concurrent conditions that may be causing the elevated white blood cell count.