Recurrent colonic volvulus in children

Recurrent Sigmoid Volvulus in Children-Our Experience and Systematic Review of the Current Literature

Sigmoid volvulus (SV) occurs rarely in children. After encountering two cases of recurrent SV, we reviewed the literature to define the recurrence risk, identify outcome predictors and to give treatment recommendations. We found 256 cases reported in children (mean age 10.2 years, gender ratio (m:f) 2.3:1). Associations exist with Hirschsprung disease (HD) in 10%, neurodevelopmental disorders in 10.9% and chronic constipation in 10.2%. Common symptoms and clinical signs were abdominal pain (85%), distension (85%), tenderness (54%) and vomiting (59%). Signs of peritonitis were present in 14% and indicated a gangrenous sigmoid (X2 = 45.33; p < 0.001). A total of 183 had abdominal radiographs, and 65% showed a positive 'coffee-bean-sign'. Contrast enemas were positive in 90%. A total of 124 patients underwent laparotomy; in 41 cases, the sigmoid was gangrenous and associated with more complications (X2 = 15.68; p < 0.001). Non-operative treatment (NOT) like endoscopic, fluoroscopic or rectal tube decompression was performed in 135 patients and successful in 79% with a 38-57% recurrence rate. A total of 73 patients subjected to elective surgery: 50 underwent sigmoid resection; 17 had surgery for HD. Clinicians should consider SV in all children with abdominal pain, distension and vomiting. Gangrene carries a higher morbidity. After successful NOT we recommend counselling about the recurrence risk and definitive surgery should be advised. HD is frequent in newborns but sometimes found in older children.

A Twist on Adolescent Abdominal Pain in the Emergency Department

Abdominal pain is a common complaint in pediatric patients in the emergency department (ED). Evolutions in clinical practice have shifted away from computed tomography (CT) to ultrasound (US) in assessing abdominal pain. However, ultrasound may not reliably rule out critical diagnoses. We present a 15-year-old male with intermittent suprapubic abdominal pain. Subsequent CT imaging showed swirling mesenteric vessels with a dilated sigmoid colon. In adolescent abdominal pain, sigmoid volvulus (SV), although rare, should be considered. Clinicians should avoid anchoring bias by maintaining a broad differential. Definitive care is surgical with resection to prevent recurrence.

Colonic Volvulus in Children: Surgical Management of a Challenging Condition

Colonic volvulus (CV) is a rare but potentially life-threatening condition with unclear etiopathogenesis. To date, less than 80 pediatric cases have been described. Hirschsprung’s disease (HD) is associated with CV in 17% of cases, representing a significant risk factor. Non-HD CV is an even more complex entity. The aim of this study is to describe a series of patients with CV to accentuate some peculiar aspects of this disease. We performed a retrospective study (period: 2012–2021) collecting information of patients with CV. Data analyzed included: demographics, medical history, presenting symptoms and radiological and surgical details. Eleven patients (12.5 ± 2.8 years; 7F/4M) had CV (eight sigmoid, two transverse colon, one total colon). Five patients had associated anomalies and three had HD. A two-step approach with volvulus endoscopic/radiological detorsion followed by intestinal resection was attempted in eight cases (one endoscopic approach failed). Three patients required surgery at admission. At follow-up, two patients developed recurrent intestinal obstruction, one of whom also had anastomotic stenosis. Colonic volvulus is a challenging condition that requires prompt patient care. A missed diagnosis could lead to severe complications. The evaluation of the patient should include a careful histological examination (searching for HD and alpha-actin deficiency), immunologic and metabolic screening, neurological tests and detection of chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (CIPO). Lifelong follow-up is mandatory for the early recognition and treatment of progressive diseases involving the proximal gastrointestinal tract.

From the Cecum to the Sigmoid: Twisted Colon in the Pediatric Population

Colonic volvulus (CV) is the third leading cause of colonic obstruction in adults. In infants and children, this is exceedingly rare, with only sporadic cases reported so far. We present two cases of CV to highlight the differences in etiology, presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of this condition. The first patient is a 12-year-old boy with no previous surgeries who presented with four days of abdominal pain. Imaging showed a sigmoid volvulus that was decompressed endoscopically, and he was discharged. He had a contrast enema showing an abnormal rectosigmoid ratio. At the time of the rectal biopsy four weeks later, he was found to have a recurrence, at which point definitive operative treatment was pursued. The second patient is a 17-year-old boy who presented with five days of abdominal pain and CT findings concerning for ischemic volvulus. This prompted emergent operative intervention, where a cecal volvulus was discovered as the result of a congenital band. The band was divided without complication.  Pediatric CV is a rare condition that might be severe in some cases. High suspicion, prompt diagnosis, and treatment are essential to prevent early and long-term morbidity.

Non-invasive treatment of the sigmoid volvulus. A pediatric case report

Sigmoid volvulus occurs when the sigmoid colic loop gets wrapped around its own mesocolon. While this condition is categorized as an extremely rare emergency in the pediatric population, diagnosis is often difficult due to the fact that its aspecific manifestations or sneaky symptoms are similar to other medical conditions. The available treatment options remain controversial up to this day, and the non-operative approach is more preferred in treating hemodynamic stable patients. This paper examines the case study of a 13-year-old girl suffering from sigmoid volvulus, who was treated with water-soluble contrast enema, in order to determine whether this method is efficient and effective in successfully treating the pathology of this condition.

Different clinicopathological features of non-elderly sigmoid volvulus patients

PURPOSE

Sigmoid volvulus is frequently seen in male patients over 60 years old. Here, we aimed to investigate the causes of sigmoid volvulus developing in patients under 60 years of age.

METHODS

Patients diagnosed with sigmoid volvulus between 2009 and 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into two as under 60 years old and above. The co-morbidity, mortality, morbidity, complications, age, and gender data were analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 134 patients were included. The median age was 70 (19-92), ≤ 59 age patients constituted 24% of all patients. Eighty-one percent (109/134) of the patients were male, and male/female ratio was lower in ≤ 59 age patients (2.0 vs 6.2, p = 0.01). Diseases that caused and underlying colon dilatation (mental retardation with hypomotility, pregnancy-puerperium, Hirschsprung's disease, etc.) were more common in ≤ 59 age patients, but no observed at 60≤ age patients (15.2% vs 0%, p = 0.0007). While there was no difference between the two groups in terms of mortality, it was proportionally higher in the 60≤ age group (3.0% vs. 13.9%, p = 0.12).

CONCLUSION

By decreasing age, male dominance disappears progressively, and it is likely to have an underlying colonic hypomotility in young sigmoid volvulus patients.

Volvulus of sigmoid colon in a challenged adolescent: An unusual case report

Sigmoid volvulus is very uncommon cause of intestinal obstruction in pediatrics population withhigh rate of mortality. To date, few cases of sigmoid volvulus in children and association with several condition has been reported in literature, of them very few cases are with mental disability. We report a challenged (mentally disabled) 14-year old adolescent boy presented asan emergency with feature of complete bowel obstruction. Abdominal X-rays shows dilated loop of large bowel with inverted U shaped. Volvulus of sigmoid colon was found during laparotomy and successfully managed with resection of a redundant colon with colocolic end to end anastomosis. Sigmoid volvulus is relatively uncommon in children as compared to adults. Surgeons should be attentive of this rare entity, cause of large bowel obstruction to allow for early diagnosis and to enable better patient outcomes by reducing the morbidity and mortality.

A systematic review of the management and outcomes of cecal and appendiceal volvulus in children

AIM

Appendiceal volvulus (AV) and cecal volvulus (CV) are rare conditions and there is no consensus regarding the best surgical approach. This study reviewed CV and AV management and outcomes in children.

METHODS

PubMed was reviewed from 1990 to 2018 for AV and CV in children and studies published in English were selected by two independent reviewers. This identified 24 papers that provided case reports on 29 children (72% male) with a median age of 10 years.

RESULTS

Abdominal distension and abdominal pain were the most common symptoms and seven children had Cornelia de Lange syndrome. The initial treatment was surgical in 27 cases and endoscopic in 2. In 23 children, variants of cecopexy were performed. There was no mortality. Complications occurred in seven cases: five with sepsis and two with enterocutaneous fistulas. There were three CV recurrences and these were all in cases where cecopexy was not performed.

CONCLUSION

AV and CV are rare paediatric pathologies. Since a quarter of the patients had Cornelia de Lange syndrome, it is paramount to consider CV when abdominal symptoms occur. Complications were minor with prompt management. In order to reduce recurrence, cecopexy is recommended in CV cases and appendectomy in AV cases.

A case report and literature review of sigmoid volvulus in children

RATIONALE

Sigmoid volvulus (SV) is an exceptionally rare but potentially life-threatening condition in children.

CHIEF COMPLAINT

Abdominal distention for 1 week.

DIAGNOSES

Sigmoid volvulus.

PATIENT CONCERNS

We present a case of a 12-year-old boy with mechanical ileus who was finally confirmed to have SV with the combination of abdominal plain film, sonography, and computed tomography (CT) with the finding of mesenteric artery rotation.

INTERVENTIONS

Because bowel obstruction was suspected, abdominal plain film, sonography, and CT were performed. The abdominal CT demonstrated whirlpool sign with torsion of the sigmoid vessels. In addition, lower gastrointestinal filling study showed that the contrast medium could only reach the upper descending colon. Therefore, he received laparotomy with mesosigmoidoplasty for detorsion of the sigmoid.

OUTCOMES

The postoperative recovery was smooth under empirical antibiotic treatment with cefazolin. A follow-up lower gastrointestinal series on the seventh day of admission showed no obstruction compared with the previous series. He was finally discharged in a stable condition 8 days after admission.

LESSONS

SV is a congenital anomaly and an uncommon diagnosis in children. Nevertheless, case series and case reports of SV are becoming more prevalent in the literature. Failure to recognize SV may result in life-threatening complications such as sigmoid gangrene/perforation, peritonitis, sepsis, and death. Thus, if the children have persistent and recurrent abdominal distention, abdominal pain, and vomiting, physicians should consider SV as a "do not miss diagnosis" in the differential diagnosis.

Pediatric colonic volvulus: A single-institution experience and review

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Pediatric colonic volvulus is both rare and underreported. Existing literature consists only of case reports and small series. We present an analysis of cases (n=11) over 15 years at a single institution, focusing on workup and diagnosis.

METHODS

This was an institutional review board approved single-institution retrospective chart review of 11 cases of large bowel volvulus occurring over 15 years (2000-2015).

RESULTS

In our series, the most common presenting symptoms were abdominal pain and distention. Afflicted patients often had prior abdominal surgery, a neurodevelopmental disorder or chronic constipation. Of the imaging modalities utilized in the 11 patients studied, colonic volvulus was correctly diagnosed by barium enema in 100% of both cases, CT in 55.6% of cases and by plain radiography of the abdomen in only 22.2%of cases. Colonic volvulus was confirmed by laparotomy in all cases. The cecum (n=5) was the most often affected colonic segment, followed by the sigmoid (n=3). Operative treatment mainly consisted of resection (63.6%) and ostomy creation (36.4%). Colopexy was performed in 18.2% of cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Plain abdominal radiography may be performed as an initial diagnostic study, however, it should be followed CT or air or contrast enema in children where there is high clinical suspicion and who do not have indications for immediate laparotomy. CT may be the most specific and useful test in diagnosis of colonic volvulus and has the added advantage of detection of complications including bowel ischemia. We demonstrate a range of diagnostic and therapeutic modalities for pediatric colonic volvulus. This underscores the need for further study to draft standard best practices for this life-threatening condition.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Prognosis Study: Level IV. Study of a Diagnostic Test: Level III.

Neonatal sigmoid volvulus

BACKGROUND

Neonatal sigmoid volvulus is a rare entity. It is associated with Hirschsprung's disease. Presentation is acute abdominal distention, vomiting and obstipation. Abdominal radiograph will show the "coffee bean" sign, but this is frequently missed and the diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion. Treatment options include contrast enema, colonoscopy or laparotomy, depending on the condition of the baby and local availability.

POPULATION AND RESULTS

During the last 6years, 6 infants with sigmoid volvulus were treated in our department. Four presented during the first 48h since birth, and 2 presented at the age of 2 and 7weeks of age. One child was operated and 5 had primary contrast enema with radiologic de-volvulus. Rectal biopsy was performed in all cases; three children had Hirschsprung's disease. Those with normal biopsies responded well to rectal washouts. Two patients had early one stage transanal pullthrough and one had 2 further occasions of sigmoid volvulus prior to definitive surgery. All three recovered with an uneventful course.

CONCLUSIONS

Neonatal sigmoid volvulus requires a high level of suspicion. Contrast enema is efficient for primary de-volvulus. Rectal biopsy should be performed and if positive for Hirschsprung's disease, surgery should be performed sooner rather than later.

Presentation and endoscopic management of sigmoid volvulus in children

The aim of the present study was to evaluate clinical presentation and management of sigmoid volvulus in children, focusing on endoscopic reduction. In this retrospective multicenter study, we reviewed the charts of 13 patients with sigmoid volvulus. We recorded clinical symptoms, diagnostic methods, endoscopic or surgical therapy, and outcome. The children (seven girls, six boys) had a median age of 12.8 years (range, 15 months to 17 years) at initial presentation. Eight patients had associated diseases (e.g., chronic constipation, mental retardation, or myopathy). The initial symptoms were abdominal pain (13/13), abdominal distension (11/13), and vomiting (7/13), which were associated with abdominal tenderness in all patients. Abdominal X-ray showed dilated sigmoid loops and air-fluid levels in all patients. Endoscopic reduction by exsufflation was successful without any complications in 12 patients, whereas the youngest patient underwent a first-line sigmoidectomy. Recurrence occurred in 7/12 patients after endoscopic exsufflation. Finally, 11 patients underwent a sigmoidectomy.

CONCLUSION

Although rare in children, sigmoid volvulus should be advocated when abdominal pain is associated with dilated sigmoid loops. Sigmoidoscopic exsufflation can be considered as the first-line management in the absence of perforation. However, sigmoidectomy is often required for prevention of recurrence.

WHAT IS KNOWN

• Sigmoid volvulus is uncommon in childhood. • Diagnosis is often missed or delayed. What is New: • This is the first pediatric series showing that endoscopic exsufflation is an efficient and safe treatment option. • Elective sigmoid resection with primary anastomosis is often required to prevent recurrence.

Laparoscopic detorsion and colopexy for splenic flexure volvulus in an infant

Primary splenic flexure volvulus is a rare entity. We describe the first case of splenic flexure volvulus managed by a laparoscopic approach. A previously healthy 32-month-old girl presented with constipation, appetite loss, and nonbilious vomiting of 15 days of duration. Contrast enema and 3-dimensional computed tomography revealed a "bird's beak" sign at the splenic flexure, consistent with the diagnosis of splenic flexure volvulus. Attempted detorsion during colonoscopy was unsuccessful, and a laparoscopic procedure was performed, and 180° torsion of the splenic flexure with a distal caliber change was observed. After detorsion of the volvulus, the splenic flexure and descending colon were fixed to the peritoneum. The postoperative course was uneventful, and there was no recurrence during the subsequent 16 months of follow-up. Laparoscopic colopexy is a minimally invasive and effective method of managing splenic flexure volvulus, especially in patients without an underlying disease that causes constipation.

Splenic Flexure Colonic Volvulus: A Pediatric Case Report

Volvulus of the colon is an unusual cause of intestinal obstruction in the pediatric population. Splenic flexure colonic volvulus is the most uncommon site in children. We report a case of splenic flexure volvulus (SFV) in a 21-month-old boy with underlying cerebral palsy and epilepsy. He experienced abdominal distension, bilious vomiting and absence of bowel movement for 2 days. Abdominal radiography showed a proximal distended colon and a "coffee bean sign" at the left upper quadrant. Barium enema revealed a "bird beak sign" at the splenic flexure, which confirmed the diagnosis of SFV. Detorsion of SFV occurred while undergoing exploratory laparotomy. He received regular follow-up in the subsequent 3 years without recurrence.

Minimal access surgery for sigmoid volvulus in children

A 12-year-old boy presented with large-bowel obstruction due to sigmoid volvulus. Temporary relief was achieved with rectal tube decompression. Elective laparoscopic-assisted sigmoid colectomy was performed. Post-operative recovery was uneventful. The patient remained well with no recurrence after 4 years of follow-up. Laparoscopic-assisted sigmoid colectomy may be the procedure of choice for selected children with sigmoid volvulus.

Sigmoid colon volvulus in children: review of 19 cases

The records of 19 patients with sigmoid colon volvulus (SCV) who were treated surgically in a 36.5-year-period were reviewed. Seven of them (37 %) had ileosigmoidal knotting (ISK). The age range was between 10 weeks and 17 years (mean 10 years), and 17 patients (90%) were male. In two cases (11%) there was previous SCV history. The mean symptom duration was 57 h (range 24-96), and three patients (16%) were in shock. The main symptoms were abdominal pain (90%), distention (79%), vomiting (74%), and obstipation (58%), and the main signs were abdominal tenderness (90%), distention (79%), absence of stool in the rectum and hypo- or akinetic bowel sounds (58%), muscular rigidity (53%), hyperkinetic bowel sounds (32%), and melanotic stool in the rectum (21%). The torsion was found in a clockwise direction in 47%, and the torsion degree was 360 in 42%. In four patients (21%) there was no gangrene (one with ISK), whereas in 15 (79%) sigmoid colon was gangrenous (six with ISK, in whom small bowel was also gangrenous). In nongangrenous cases, detorsion (11%) or sigmoidopexy (11%) was performed. In gangrenous cases, gangrenous sigmoid colon was resected, and Hartmann's procedure (74%) or primary anastomosis (5%) was performed. In those with associated gangrene of the small bowel, resection and enteroenteric anastomosis were done. Four patients (21%) died, with the most common cause of death being toxic shock. In 11 patients, including five with SCV and six with ISK, no recurrence was seen in a mean 18-year follow-up period (range 8-39). As a result, preoperative resuscitation, prompt surgery, and postoperative support are important in emergent SCV in children.

Neonatal sigmoid volvulus: a complication of anal stenosis

Sigmoid volvulus is an exceptionally rare cause of intestinal obstruction in neonates. Only 7 cases have been reported in the English and French literature. The authors report a recent case of sigmoid volvulus in a neonate secondary to anal stenosis and review the diagnosis and management of this serious condition. The authors believe that carefully performed radiologic reduction is the preferable alternative to surgical intervention.

Sigmoid volvulus in children and adolescents

BACKGROUND

Sigmoid volvulus is an exceptionally rare and potentially life-threatening condition in the pediatric age group.

STUDY DESIGN

We report our experience with three children treated for sigmoid volvulus and review the cases reported in the medical literature since 1940.

RESULTS

Since 1940, 63 cases of sigmoid volvulus in children (including this series) have been reported. The median age was 7 years and the male to female ratio was 3.5:1. Two distinct presentations (acute and recurrent) were identified. Abdominal symptoms dominated the clinical picture. Barium enemas either confirmed or were highly suggestive of sigmoid volvulus. Reduction by barium enema was successful in 77% (10 of 13) of the attempts. Forty-nine patients underwent operative treatment, with sigmoidectomy (with or without primary anastomosis) being the most common. The overall mortality rate was 6%, operative mortality was 8.1%, and neonatal mortality was 14%. Associated conditions were frequent. Particular emphasis should be placed on ruling out Hirschsprung's disease (present in 11 of 63 patients).

CONCLUSIONS

Sigmoid volvulus remains a rare occurrence in children, but it should be included in the differential diagnosis of pain in children when colonic distention is present. An algorithm for treatment is proposed.

Large bowel volvulus in childhood

BACKGROUND

Large bowel volvulus is extremely uncommon in children. The probable pathogenesis, predisposing factors and management of large bowel volvulus in children are debatable.

METHODS

Seven consecutive cases of large bowel volvulus occurring over a 6-year period are reported.

RESULTS

Two patients with caecal volvulus, one with transverse and subsequent sigmoid volvulus, one with transverse colon volvulus and three children with sigmoid volvulus are reported. Four girls and one boy with cerebral palsy, one female with Moya Moya disease and spastic paraplegia and an otherwise healthy boy presented at a mean age of 8.3 years (range: 3-15 years). The common presentation was abdominal distension (n = 6), tenderness (n = 6), constipation (n = 7) and bloody mucoid discharge per rectum (n = 6). Plain abdominal X-ray and barium enema were diagnostic. Resection with primary ileocolic, colocolic or colorectal anastomosis was performed in all cases. The mean follow-up was 3.4 years (range: 1-6 years) and there was no mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Large bowel volvulus in children may be due to congenital anomalous or absent ligamentous fixation of the large bowel, and abnormal mesocolon or a common ileocolo-mesentery. Large bowel obstruction due to volvulus must be considered in the differential diagnosis in a child presenting with constipation associated with bloody mucoid discharge per rectum. Resection of the involved segment and primary anastomosis is the definitive treatment for large bowel volvulus in children.

Intestinal obstruction

Intestinal obstruction, a disorder that afflicts both children and adults, is associated with significant morbidity. Early recognition and appropriate management can prevent life-threatening complications; however, considerable controversies exist regarding the ideal method of diagnosis and treatment. This article provides a comprehensive overview of risk factors for small and large bowel obstruction. The pathophysiologic process is related to the clinical findings. A summary of diagnostic methods with an evaluation of their relative merit is presented. Preventive, and medical, surgical, and palliative therapies are described, with an emphasis on the actions that an advanced practice nurse can implement.