Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are a specific pathological entity of mesenchymal neoplasia discovered in the 1980s. These tumors originate from the interstitial cells of Cajal and represent the most prevalent type of mesenchymal tumor of the gastrointestinal tract. GISTs are clinically indistinguishable from other digestive tumor groups, and their pretherapeutic investigation is facilitated by digestive endoscopy and current imaging techniques such as injected CT, MRI, and echo-endoscopy that allows tissue biopsy. In addition, molecular genetics testing and pathological evaluation are critical for diagnostic, predictive, and prognostic evaluation. Currently, surgery remains the cornerstone of treatment, but the therapeutic arsenal has been enriched since the discovery of anti-tyrosine kinase receptor targeted therapies. Despite current advances, a unique prognostic hierarchy for each patient is essential to guide them through their therapeutic journey. A good understanding of the biological mechanisms specific to GISTs will allow us to develop new therapies in the future to improve the prognosis of patients.
Median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS), which is also known as Dunbar syndrome, is a rare congenital condition. This syndrome is due to celiac trunk (CT) compression by the median arcuate ligament of the diaphragm, which causes diffuse abdominal pain owing to organic ischemia and nerve compression. This anatomical variant affects 10 to 24% of the general population, whereas only a small proportion develop clinical symptoms. Due to lack of knowledge, this anatomical abnormality can lead to prejudicial diagnostic wandering of patients with chronic abdominal pain. This article offers a review of the literature on MALS: the paper discusses its anatomy and clinical features, while also detailing various useful diagnostic explorations. The report compares certain treatments and highlights relevant predictive factors for its management.