A rare case of chronic mesenteric ischemia after occlusion of the celiac trunc in a 15-year-old boy

Background: Chronic mesenteric ischemia is extremely uncommon in childhood. Occlusion of the celiac axis by the median arcuate ligament (celiac axis c ompression syndrome) has been only described as a disorder of younger adult s yet. Case report: We present a 15-year-old boy with a 18-month history of chroni c intermittent upper abdominal pain. A chronic mesenteric ischemia due to c ompression of the celiac axis by the median arcuate ligament was recognized as cause of the complaints. Revascularisation by an autologous vein bypass from the abdominal aorta to the common hepatic artery led to restitution. Conclusions: Even in childhood intermittent abdominal pain may be generated by chronic mesenteric ischemia.