Evaluation of 18 CT signs in diagnosing cecal volvulus: a multi-reader retrospective study

PURPOSE

To assess the diagnostic performance and reliability of 18 CT signs to diagnose cecal volvulus, a surgical emergency, versus a group of non-volvulus mimickers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Four radiologists retrospectively and independently assessed 18 CT signs in 191 patients with cecal volvulus (n = 63) or a non-volvulus control group ((n = 128), including cecal bascule (n = 19), mobile cecum (n = 95), and colonic pseudo-obstruction (n = 14)) at a single institution from 2013 to 2021. Fleiss' kappa coefficient was used to assess inter-reader agreement. For diagnostic performance metrics, we assessed sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values. For predictive performance, all 18 signs were included in bivariate and stepwise lasso multivariate logistic regression models to diagnose cecal volvulus. Performance was assessed by ROC curves.

RESULTS

191 patients (mean age: 63 years +/- 15.5 [SD]; 135 women) were included in the study. Nine of the 18 CT signs of cecal volvulus demonstrated good or better (> 0.6) inter-reader agreement. Individual CT signs with sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values all above 70% for diagnosing cecal volvulus were transition point, bird beak, and X-marks-the-spot. A lasso regression model determined four CT features: transition point, bird beak, coffee bean, and whirl had excellent prediction (AUC = .979) for cecal volvulus if all present.

CONCLUSION

CT signs for cecal volvulus that have high sensitivity and specificity include: transition point, bird beak, and X-marks-the-spot and were reliable in distinguishing non-volvulus mimickers. If the following four features were present: transition point, bird beak, coffee bean, and whirl, there was excellent prediction (AUC = .979) for cecal volvulus.

Small bowel obstruction in adults, Ladd's band is an exceptional cause: a case report

Malrotation of the gut is a congenital anomaly of foetal intestinal rotation and it's principally discovered in early childhood as acute intestinal obstruction. This condition is veritably rare and constantly silent in adults. Intestinal malrotation in adults is frequently asymptomatic and is diagnosed as a casual finding during a radiological examination performed for other reasons. Infrequently, it can be diagnosed in adults, associated with an acute abdomen. Adult patients rarely present with acute midgut volvulus or internal hernias caused by Ladd's bands. We present a case of an admitted 18-year-old female with a small bowel obstruction due to an intestinal volvulus complicating intestinal malrotation in the presence of Ladd's band. Laparotomic Ladd's procedure was performed successfully with division of Ladd's band, adhesiolysis, appendicectomy, and reorientation of the small bowel on the right and the cecum and colon on the left of the abdominal cavity; the postoperative evolution was favorable. Although it is a rare pathology, it should be kept in mind in cases of patients presenting small bowel obstruction.

A new technique in the treatment of intestinal malrotation

INTRODUCTION

Intestinal malrotation is a congenital pathology with potentially catastrophic complications, such as volvulus, whose treatment has barely not changed in nearly 100 years (Ladd's procedure). Dr. Abu-Elmagd recently described a new technique that was applied in one of our patients.

CLINICAL CASE

12-year-old boy who had undergone Ladd's procedure as a result of intestinal volvulus secondary to malrotation when he was 2 days old. He had subocclusion and eventually obstruction, with intestinal volvulus compatible imaging. Intraoperative findings: duodenal subocclusion, volvulus and lymphangiectasias. Kareem's procedure: bowel positioning in normal rotation, duodenopexy (duodenal C posterior to the mesenteric vessels), formation of neo-Treitz, and fixation of the cecum, the ascending colon, and the mesenteric root. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 6 and remains asymptomatic after 1 year of follow-up.

DISCUSSION

Kareem's procedure is a safe and effective malrotation repair technique. It can replace Ladd's procedure as it reduces the risk of re-volvulation and improves digestive symptoms.

Intestinal volvulus in utero causing torsion of dilated bowel with ileal atresia: a case report

BACKGROUND

In utero intestinal volvulus with intestinal atresia is a rare and life-threatening condition that can cause torsion of the dilated bowel. The management and outcomes of this disease remain unclear.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 19-year-old woman noticed a decrease in fetal motion at 35 weeks. Fetal ultrasound showed dilated fetal bowel and the whirlpool sign. The patient was referred to our hospital for an emergency cesarean section. The neonate's abdomen was dark and severely distended, and a laparotomy was performed. Necrotic ileum and cord-type intestinal atresia (Type II) were observed in the dilated terminal ileum. The necrotic ileum was resected, and a second-look surgery was performed the following day. Then, we anastomosed the remaining intestine, and the total intestine length was 52 cm. There were no surgical complications, and the patient was discharged without requiring total parenteral nutrition or fluid infusion. The patient's height and weight were within the - 2 standard deviation range of the growth curve at 5 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Emergency and appropriate management of intestinal volvulus in utero causing torsion of the dilated bowel resulted in good outcomes in a patient with intestinal atresia. Perinatal physicians should be aware of this emergency condition and plan their treatment approach accordingly.

Endoscopic versus surgical management for colonic volvulus hospitalizations in the United States

Background/Aims

Colonic volvulus (CV), a common cause of bowel obstruction, often requires intervention. We aimed to identify hospitalization trends and CV outcomes in the United States.

Methods

We used the National Inpatient Sample to identify all adult CV hospitalizations in the United States from 2007 to 2017. Patient demographics, comorbidities, and inpatient outcomes were highlighted. Outcomes of endoscopic and surgical management were compared.

Results

Between 2007 and 2017, there were 220,666 CV hospitalizations. CV-related hospitalizations increased from 17,888 in 2007 to 21,715 in 2017 (p=0.001). However, inpatient mortality decreased from 7.6% in 2007 to 6.2% in 2017 (p<0.001). Of all CV-related hospitalizations, 13,745 underwent endoscopic intervention, and 77,157 underwent surgery. Although the endoscopic cohort had patients with a higher Charlson comorbidity index, we noted lower inpatient mortality (6.1% vs. 7.0%, p<0.001), mean length of stay (8.3 vs. 11.8 days, p<0.001), and mean total healthcare charge ($68,126 vs. $106,703, p<0.001) compared to the surgical cohort. Male sex, increased Charlson comorbidity index scores, acute kidney injury, and malnutrition were associated with higher odds of inpatient mortality in patients with CV who underwent endoscopic management.

Conclusions

Endoscopic intervention has lower inpatient mortality and is an excellent alternative to surgery for appropriately selected CV hospitalizations.

Analysis of clinical diagnosis and treatment of intestinal volvulus

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study is to investigate the clinical characteristics and treatment experience of intestinal volvulus, and to analyze the incidence of adverse events and related risk factors of intestinal volvulus.

METHODS

Thirty patients with intestinal volvulus admitted to the Digestive Emergency Department of Xijing Hospital from January 2015 to December 2020 were selected. The clinical manifestations, laboratory tests, treatment and prognosis were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 30 patients with volvulus were enrolled in this study, including 23 males (76.7%), with a median age of 52 years (33-66 years). The main clinical manifestations were abdominal pain in 30 cases (100%), nausea and vomiting in 20 cases (67.7%), cessation of exhaust and defecation in 24 cases (80%), and fever in 11 cases (36.7%). The positions of intestinal volvulus were jejunum in 11 cases (36.7%), ileum and ileocecal in 10 cases (33.3%), sigmoid colon in 9 cases (30%). All 30 patients received surgical treatment. Among the 30 patients underwent surgery, 11 patients developed intestinal necrosis. We found that the longer the disease duration (> 24 h), the higher the incidence of intestinal necrosis, and the higher the incidence of ascites, white blood cell count and neutrophil ratio in the intestinal necrosis group were significantly higher than those in the non-intestinal necrosis group (p < 0.05). After treatment, 1 patient died of septic shock after operation, and 2 patients with recurrent volvulus were followed up within 1 year. The overall cure rate was 90%, the mortality rate was 3.3%, and the recurrence rate was 6.6%.

CONCLUSION

Laboratory examination, abdominal CT and dual-source CT are very important for the diagnosis of volvulus in patients with abdominal pain as the main symptom. Increased white blood cell count, neutrophil ratio, ascites and long course of disease are important for predicting intestinal volvulus accompanied by intestinal necrosis. Early diagnosis and timely intervention can save lives and prevent serious complications.

Ileostomy volvulus as an underreported problem causing small bowel obstruction in patients living with ostomy: a case report and literature review

Purpose

Ileostomy volvulus is a rare cause of small bowel obstruction. We present an unusual case of ileostomy volvulus without the presence of adhesions. Additionally, a systematic literature review was performed to collate the current literature on the causes, diagnosis, treatment, and preventative measures of ileostomy-related small bowel obstruction.

Methods

PubMed (Medline), Embase, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Cochrane CENTRAL were searched from their inception up to August 2022. This study adhered to the PRISMA guidelines and was registered on PROSPERO. The primary outcomes included patients' demographics, imaging modality, indication for initial surgery, type and configuration of stoma, surgical treatment, and recurrence of volvulus. The quality of included studies was assessed using the Murad tool. Written informed consent was obtained from the patient.

Results

Seven studies were included, comprising 967 patients. Stoma outlet obstruction (SOO) was reported in all 159 patients, and 12 had ileostomy volvulus as the cause. A majority of patients had loop ostomies for ileostomy volvulus. No complications or mortality were reported in the included studies, and half of the included studies were deemed to be of good quality.

Conclusion

This case demonstrates the need for high clinical suspicion of SOO in patients with loop ileostomy, and rapid management should be undertaken. Whilst loop ileostomies, increased rectus abdominal muscle thickness, and lower preoperative total glucocorticoid dosage are associated with SOO, large-scale retrospective studies are needed to validate our findings.

Roux-en-Y partial volvulus in biliary-digestive reconstruction in children

Various complications occur after a biliary-digestive reconstruction. Volvulus of a segment of the biliodigestive loop has not been described. Two patients who underwent biliodigestive bypass, years later, began with sudden and intense abdominal pain, associated with a volvulus with necrosis of a segment of this biliodigestive loop. This complication occurred many years after the initial correction, and manifested with sudden abdominal pain without impaired liver function, as occurred in these patients.

Reporte de caso: vólvulo de sigmoides en un adulto joven, una manifestación de enfermedad de Hirschsprung

BACKGROUND

Hirschsprung's disease is characterized by the absence of enteric ganglia in the distal digestive tract; being usually diagnosed in neonates, it rarely debuts during adulthood, where it presents as chronic constipation refractory to treatment.

CASE REPORT

24-year-old female patient with Hirschsprung's disease who arrives to the emergency room with a sigmoid volvulus requiring urgent surgical therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Hirschsprung's disease doesn't frequently debut in adulthood, presenting a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for the general surgeon, especially when dealing with its complications.

Intrauterine intestinal volvulus without malrotation presenting neonatal abdominal compartment syndrome

Introduction

Fetal intestinal volvulus without malrotation is extremely rare, and early prenatal diagnosis is challenging because the signs and symptoms are non-specific. However, without proper management, it can cause massive bowel necrosis.

Presentation of case

A woman experienced a dilated fetal bowel at 34 weeks of pregnancy and noticed a decrease in fetal movements at 36 weeks; however, she did not visit a hospital. Her newborn developed severe abdominal distension and was diagnosed with neonatal abdominal compartment syndrome with respiratory distress immediately after emergency caesarean section at 36 weeks and 5 days of pregnancy. The neonate underwent emergency exploratory laparotomy. This revealed a volvulus of the small bowel with extensive necrosis and no findings of congenital malrotation. While the patient required massive necrotic bowel resection, 80 cm of the small intestine was preserved.

Discussion

Fetal intestinal volvulus without malrotation can cause abdominal compartment syndrome with rapid respiratory distress. Therefore, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of fetal intestinal dilatation. Volvulus exacerbation risk increases from 30 weeks of pregnancy to late preterm delivery. However, the time lag between the mother's awareness of decreased fetal movement and caesarean section makes early diagnosis challenging, resulting in a life-threatening condition for the neonate.

Conclusion

When a fetal ultrasound examination shows intestinal dilatation between gestational week 30 and late preterm, the mother must be fully informed about the possibility that the foetus has intestinal volvulus and the potential risk of massive fetal intestinal necrosis.

•

Volvulus without malrotation should be considered in fetal bowel dilatation.

•

This can cause abdominal compartment syndrome, resulting in respiratory distress.

•

Fetal bowel dilatation without polyhydramnios is a key finding for early diagnosis.

•

There is a risk of massive fetal bowel necrosis around the late preterm period.

•

Early recognition and informed consent are essential for a good neonatal prognosis.

Sigmoid volvulus: outcomes of treatment and predictors of morbidity and mortality

Purpose

To analyze the treatment outcomes for sigmoid volvulus (SV) and identify risk factors of complications and mortality.

Methods

Observational study of all consecutive adult patients diagnosed with SV who were admitted from January 2000 to December 2020 in a tertiary university institution for conservative management, urgent or elective surgery. Primary outcomes were 30-day postoperative morbidity, mortality and 2-year overall survival (OS), including analysis of risk factors for postoperative morbidity or mortality and prognostic factors for 2-year OS.

Results

A total of 92 patients were included. Conservative management was performed in 43 cases (46.7%), 27 patients (29.4%) underwent emergent surgery and 22 (23.9%) were scheduled for elective surgery. Successful decompression was achieved in 87.8% of cases, but the recurrence rate was 47.2%. Mortality rates following episodes were higher for conservative treatment than for urgent or elective surgery (37.2%, 22.2%, 9.1%, respectively; p = 0.044). ASA score > III was an independent risk factor for complications (OR = 5.570, 95% CI = 1.740–17.829, p < 0.001) and mortality (OR = 6.139, 95% CI = 2.629–14.335, p < 0.001) in the 30 days after admission. Patients who underwent elective surgery showed higher 2-year OS than those with conservative treatment (p = 0.011). Elective surgery (HR = 2.604, 95% CI = 1.185–5.714, p = 0.017) and ASA score > III (HR = 0.351, 95% CI = 0.192–0.641, p = 0.001) were independent prognostic factors for 2-year OS.

Conclusion

Successful endoscopic decompression can be achieved in most SV patients, but with the drawbacks of high recurrence, morbidity and mortality rates. Concurrent severe comorbidities and conservative treatment were independent prognostic factors for morbidity and survival in SV.

Comparison of total midgut volvulus and segmental volvulus in neonates

BACKGROUND

Intestinal volvulus in a neonate, complete or segmental, is a true surgical emergency, which when the diagnosis is delayed can bring detrimental results. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics of intestinal volvulus during the neonatal period by comparing total midgut volvulus (TMV) and segmental volvulus (SV).

METHODS

The medical records of 44 neonates who were operated on for intestinal volvulus from 1993 to 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were divided into TMV and SV groups, and clinical features were compared.

RESULTS

Operations were performed on 27 patients for TMV and 17 for SV. All cases of TMV were associated with intestinal malrotation, while those with SV were not. Gestational age, birth weight, and ratio of prematurity showed no differences between the groups. Preoperative diagnosis of TMV or SV was possible in 23 and 5 (85% and 29%) cases, respectively. Intestinal resection was required in 16/17 patients (94%) with SV, while it was required in 5/27 (19%) patients with TMV. When bowel resection was performed in TMV, all but one patient suffered from short bowel syndrome leading to two mortalities, while SV group showed good recovery.

CONCLUSION

Diagnosis of SV before laparotomy can be difficult. Even though performing intestinal resection in SV neonates is highly likely, it shows a favorable outcome. TMV neonates are less likely to undergo intestinal resection; however, when bowel ischemia is present, significant morbidity can occur.

TYPE OF STUDY

Treatment study.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV.

Cecal bascule with secondary gastric outlet obstruction in addition to a large bowel closed obstruction: A case report

We present a case of cecal bascule in a 60-year-old woman with abdominal pain and vomiting. Imaging tests revealed a cecal bascule causing mechanic obstruction of the stomach. Besides a small bowel dilatation was not seen, the distended cecum was extrinsically obstructing the antrum and therefore, the gastric outlet. Cecal bascule is a form of cecal volvulus without the axial twisted component. The cecum folds anterior or anteromedially on itself and, because of a valve mechanism, becomes distended. The pressure increases and it begins to compromise arterial blood flow so life-threatening complications, such as bowel ischemia and infarction can occur. Prompt diagnosis is therefore crucial and plain radiographs and computed tomography are the preferred imaging techniques for this purpose.

Caecal volvulus on a background of recurrent caecocolic torsion

Caecal volvulus is an uncommon cause of intestinal obstruction. Diagnosis may be challenging due to lack of clinical familiarity, variable clinical presentation and misinterpretation of diagnostic imaging and procedures. This case report describes a 29-year-old male with acute intestinal obstruction secondary to caecal volvulus, on a background of recurrent caecocolic torsion. Diagnosis required repeat axial imaging and endoscopy when initial imaging studies were misinterpreted.

Ileocolic vascular curvature: a new CT finding of cecal volvulus

PURPOSE

To evaluate the diagnostic performance of a proposed new CT observation in cecal volvulus, marked hook-like curvature of ileocolic vessels termed "ileocolic vascular curvature."

METHODS

Contrast-enhanced CT scans of 14 patients with diagnoses of cecal volvulus on original CT reports were compared with scans of 40 control patients with dilated cecum but no cecal volvulus on original CT reports, accrued consecutively from January, 2006 through July, 2017. Two independent blinded readers retrospectively evaluated scans for cecal dilatation, ileocolic vascular curvature and seven previously reported CT features of cecal volvulus. Statistical methods included the exact binomial distribution to define 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs), logistic regression, receiver operating characteristic analysis, and the exact McNemar test. Pathology reports and clinical records served as reference standards.

RESULTS

All patients had abdominal pain and cecal distension. All 14 patients with CT diagnoses of cecal volvulus, and no control patients, had cecal volvulus by reference standards. Ileocolic vascular curvature and ectopic cecal location were the only features independently and significantly associated with cecal volvulus in multivariable regression (odds ratio 178, p = 0.014, and 63, p = 0.013, respectively) and also the only features with both sensitivity (12/14 [85.7%, 95% CI 57.2-98.2%] and 13/14 [92.9%, 95% CI 66.1-99.8%], respectively) and specificity (40/40 [100.0%, 95% CI 91.2-100.0%] and 38/40 [95.0%, 95% CI 83.1-99.4%], respectively) that differed significantly from 50.0%.

CONCLUSIONS

Ileocolic vascular curvature was independently and significantly associated with cecal volvulus and exhibited both substantial sensitivity and substantial specificity for cecal volvulus, and thus is potentially a valuable new CT finding of cecal volvulus.

Small bowel volvulus due to a large intestinal lipoma: A rare case report

INTRODUCTION

A lipoma of the small bowel mesentery is a uncommon clinical entity. It rarely causes obstruction and volvulus of the small bowel.

CASE REPORT

A 63 year old man was admitted to the emergency department with acute abdominal pain. Contrast-enhanced CT abdominal scan revealed small bowel obstruction due to a large fat density lesion suspected to be a lipoma. We performed a laparotomy in urgent setting that confirmed a small bowel volvulus secondary to a large antimesenteric lipoma. En-bloc resection with antiperistaltic side-to-side ileal anastomosis was done.

DISCUSSION

Mesenteric lipoma is rare. They are usually asymptomatic but when have large sizes can cause several symptoms related to small bowel obstruction or volvulus. The diagnosis is difficult and is rarely made prior to exploratory laparoscopy or laparotomy. CT scan is the gold-standard imaging technique. It can shows the typical characteristics of tumor and may demonstrate the typical "vortex" pattern of a volvulus. In patients with acute clinical presentation en-bloc resection of the lipoma with the affected small bowel loops is often necessary. This treatment may also be reserved in asymptomatic patients with large mesenteric lipomas to avoid future complications.

CONCLUSION

Volvulus of the small bowel caused by an antimesenteric lipoma is a very rare entity. It is diagnosed by CT scan and surgery represents the standard treatment.

Intestinal volvulus in the pump twin of a twin reversed arterial perfusion (TRAP) sequence after laser therapy at 18 weeks: a case report

Background

Twin reversed arterial perfusion sequence is a rare and potentially lethal condition affecting approximately 1% of monochorionic twin pregnancies and 1 in 35,000 pregnancies overall. An apparently normal (pump) twin perfuses its severely malformed cotwin with deoxygenated blood via retrograde flow in direct arterioarterial anastomoses between the umbilical arteries of each twin. Fetal intestinal volvulus is a rare condition usually manifesting after birth. We report a unique case of twin reversed arterial perfusion sequence in association with intestinal volvulus in the surviving pump twin.

Case presentation

A 32-year-old Hispanic primigravida was referred to our clinic after a fetoscopy procedure of laser photocoagulation of anastomoses at 18 weeks of gestation. Follow up scans in the ex-pump twin revealed dilated bowel loops and a typical “whirlpool sign” at 26 weeks of gestation, and intrauterine intestinal volvulus was suspected. At 29 weeks of gestation, preterm premature rupture of membranes occurred, and an emergency cesarean section was performed. The newborn was diagnosed in the early neonatal period with intestinal perforation. The diagnosis was postnatally confirmed by surgery and histopathology.

Conclusions

The type of fetal intervention and late gestational age of the procedure increase the risk of complications. This case alerts health providers to be vigilant in the follow-up of patients with complicated monochorionic pregnancies.

The recurrence of colonic volvulus due to nonrotation after intestinal resection in adulthood: a case report

Background

Intestinal nonrotation is a rare congenital condition that causes fatal colonic volvulus at any age. Once volvulus attack occurs, radical surgical therapy is required for treatment and the prevention of recurrence. This report describes the case of an adult female patient with a recurrence of cecum volvulus due to intestinal nonrotation after transverse colon resection for colonic volvulus.

Case presentation

A 27-year-old female visited our emergency room (ER) with intermittent abdominal pain and nausea. Enhanced computed tomography (CT) showed enlargement of the level of the ascending and transverse colon and an obstruction with a whirlpool sign at the transverse colon. The small intestine was distributed on the right side of the abdominal cavity, and the large intestine occupied the left side. She was diagnosed with volvulus with intestinal nonrotation, and emergency surgery was performed. Surgical examination indicated that the ascending colon to the transverse colon was not fixed to the retroperitoneum, and the transverse colon was rotated 180° clockwise. The axis of the volvulus was a mesenteric adhesion of the transverse colon. The involved transverse colon was resected, and the intestine was reconstructed by functional end-to-end anastomosis (FEEA). Six years after the initial surgery, the patient presented to the ER with abdominal fullness and lower abdominal pain. Enhanced CT revealed that the cecum, ascending colon, and remaining transverse colon were dilated with an obstruction. The appendix was located in the left upper abdominal cavity. The clinical diagnosis was cecal volvulus with intestinal nonrotation. An emergency laparotomy revealed that the cecum was rotated 180° clockwise. The terminal ileum to the remaining transverse colon was resected, and FEEA was performed. Seven months later, she suffered obstruction of the intestine caused by an operative adhesion, and conservative treatment was successful. The patient has had no abdominal symptoms for one and a half years so far.

Conclusions

Surgeons should realize that nonrotation of the intestines induces volvulus in adulthood and should familiarize themselves with its clinical findings, appropriate treatment, and prognosis. Even after surgical treatment, awareness of the recurrence of volvulus should be maintained to avoid a late diagnosis.

Atraumatic splenic rupture secondary to appendicular perforation by cecal volvulus

Atraumatic splenic rupture, an infrequent surgical emergency, constitutes a life-threatening situation. The lack of a traumatic background makes it difficult to suspect. We present a case of a 45-year-old woman, with history of bariatric surgery, referred to our emergency due to 3 weeks long abdominal and lumbar pain, in shock. Imaging diagnosis of splenic rupture, emergent surgery was performed with atypical findings and good evolution. The bibliographic review, background and surgical findings allowed to postulate causality in this unusual presentation. Despite its low frequency, this pathology involves significant mortality and must be present in the patient in shock in the emergency room.

Primary small intestinal volvulus after laparoscopic rectopexy for rectal prolapse

Primary small intestinal volvulus is defined as torsion in the absence of congenital malrotation, band, or postoperative adhesions. Its occurrence as an early postoperative complication is rare. A 40-year-old woman presented with rectal prolapse, and laparoscopic rectopexy was uneventfully performed. She could not have food on the day after surgery. She started oral intake on postoperative day 3 but developed abdominal pain after the meal. Contrast-enhanced CT revealed torsion of the small intestinal mesentery. An emergent laparotomy showed small intestinal volvulus, without congenital malformation or intestinal adhesions. We diagnosed it as primary small intestinal volvulus. The strangulated intestine was resected, and reconstruction was performed. The patient recovered uneventfully after the second surgery. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of primary small intestinal volvulus occurring after rectopexy for rectal prolapse. Primary small intestinal volvulus could be a postoperative complication after laparoscopy.

Contemporary Management of Sigmoid Volvulus

BACKGROUND

Sigmoid volvulus is an uncommon cause of bowel obstruction that is historically associated with high morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study was to evaluate contemporary management of sigmoid volvulus and the safety of primary anastomosis in patients with sigmoid volvulus.

METHODS

The National Surgical Quality Improvement Project from 2012 to 2015 was queried for patients with colonic volvulus who underwent left-sided colonic resection. A propensity score-matched analysis was performed to compare patients with sigmoid volvulus undergoing colectomy with primary anastomosis without proximal diversion to colectomy with end colostomy.

RESULTS

Two thousand five hundred thirty-eight patients with sigmoid volvulus were included for analysis. Patients had a median age of 68 years (interquartile range, 55-80) and 79% were fully independent preoperatively. Fifty-one percent of operations were performed emergently. One thousand eight hundred thirteen (71%) patients underwent colectomy with anastomosis, 240 (10%) colectomy with anastomosis and proximal diversion, and 485 (19%) colectomy with end colostomy. Overall, 30-day mortality and morbidity were 5 and 40%, respectively. After propensity score matching, mortality, overall morbidity, and serious morbidity were similar between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Sigmoid volvulus occurs in elderly and debilitated patients with significant morbidity, mortality, and lifestyle implications. In selected patients, anastomosis without proximal diversion in patients with sigmoid volvulus results in similar outcomes to colectomy with end colostomy.

Sigmoid Volvulus in Children: Diagnosis and Therapeutic Challenge

Background

Sigmoid volvulus is a rare condition in children. Early diagnosis increases the success of nonsurgical treatment in the emergency department, but posterior elective surgery is important due to the risk of recurrence.

Methods/Conclusions

We present the case of a healthy 16-year-old girl with recurrent volvulus and successful endoscopic treatment followed by elective surgery.

Clinical outcomes of sigmoid colon volvulus: identification of the factors associated with successful endoscopic detorsion

Background/Aims

Although multiple treatment options exist for the management of sigmoid colon volvulus, no study has examined the factors associated with successful endoscopic detorsion. This study aimed to examine the clinical course of patients with sigmoid colon volvulus and to identify factors related to successful endoscopic detorsion.

Methods

This study included 30 cases (21 patients) of sigmoid volvulus from among 545 cases of intestinal obstruction at a single center. We retrospectively examined the clinical course and the factors associated with the possibility of endoscopic detorsion of sigmoid colon volvulus.

Results

The rate of laxative use among the study participants was 76.2%; the rate of comorbid neuropsychiatric disorders was 61.9%; and 57.1% of patients had a history of open abdominal surgery. All patients were initially treated with endoscopic detorsion, and this procedure had a 61.9% success rate. The recurrence rate after detorsion was as high as 46.2%, but detorsion during revision endoscopy was possible in all cases. Statistical analysis revealed that the absence of abdominal tenderness (P=0.027), the use of laxatives (P=0.027), and a history of open abdominal surgery (P=0.032) were factors predictive of successful endoscopic detorsion.

Conclusions

The results of our study are consistent with previous reports with respect to the success rate of endoscopic detorsion, the subsequent recurrence rate, and the proportion of patients requiring surgical treatment. In addition, we identified the absence of abdominal tenderness, the use of laxatives, and history of open abdominal surgery as factors predicting successful endoscopic detorsion of sigmoid colon volvulus.

Complicated Jejunal Diverticulosis: Small Bowel Volvulus with Obstruction

The incidence of the diverticulum of the small bowel varies from 0.2-1.3% in autopsy studies to 2.3% when assessed on enteroclysis. It occurs mostly in patients in the 6^th decade of their life. Of all the small bowel diverticuli, jejunal diverticulum is the most common type. This rare entity is usually asymptomatic. However, they may cause chronic non-specific symptoms for a long period of time like dyspepsia, chronic postprandial pain, nausea, vomiting, borborgymi, alternating diarrhoea and constipation, weight loss, anaemia, steatorrhea or rarely lead to complications like haemorrhage, obstruction, perforation. Obstruction can be due to enterolith, adhesions, intussusception, and volvulus. The condition is difficult to diagnose because patients are generally presented with symptoms that mimic other diseases. It is important for clinicians to have awareness of this entity. Here, we present a case of multiple jejunal diverticuli with a history of repeated attacks of diverticulitis over past 20 years, which were misdiagnosed and now presented with intestinal obstruction due to volvulus of the involved segment along with mesentery around its axis. Resection of the diverticuli segment of jejunum was done with end-to-end jejuno-jejunal anastomosis. The patient is asymptomatic since 10 months of follow-up.

Intestinal malrotation in patients with situs anomaly: Implication of the relative positions of the superior mesenteric artery and vein

PURPOSE

To assess the usefulness of the relative position of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and superior mesenteric vein (SMV) in diagnosing intestinal malrotation in situs anomaly.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From January 2004 to April 2015, 33 patients with situs anomalies were enrolled in this study who underwent abdominal USG, CT or MRI as well as upper gastrointestinal series (UGIS) or surgery: situs inversus (n=16), left isomerism (n=10), and right isomerism (n=7); age 21.2±23.2years (mean±standard deviation), range 0-72 years. The intestinal malrotation was confirmed with UGIS and/or operation in 16 patients. Relative positions of the SMV to the SMA were classified into four groups by reviewing abdominal USG, CT, or MRI: right sided, left sided, ventral sided, and dorsal sided. The incidence of malrotation was analyzed for each group.

RESULTS

In 16 patients with situs inversus, there was reversed SMA-SMV relationship: left sided (n=11) or ventral sided (n=5). One situs inversus patient with ventral sided SMV had intestinal malrotation (6.25%). 17 patients with situs ambiguus showed various SMA-SMV relationships (ventral sided, n=7; left sided, n=5; right sided, n=4; dorsal sided, n=1). Among them, 15 patients (88.2%) had intestinal malrotation. Two patients with normal rotation had either right sided or dorsal sided SMV.

CONCLUSION

Situs ambiguus was commonly associated with intestinal malrotation with a variable SMA-SMV relationship. Reversal of the mesenteric vascular relationship was observed in situs inversus with normal rotation, not excluding the possibility of intestinal malrotation.

[Adult intestinal malrotation associated with intestinal volvulus]

BACKGROUND

Intestinal malrotation is a congenital anomaly of the intestinal rotation and fixation, and usually occurs in the neonatal age.

OBJECTIVE

Description of a clinical case associated with acute occlusive symptoms.

CLINICAL CASE

A case of intestinal malrotation is presented in a previously asymptomatic woman of 46 years old with an intestinal obstruction, with radiology and surgical findings showing an absence of intestinal rotation.

CONCLUSIONS

Intestinal malrotation in adults is often asymptomatic, and is diagnosed as a casual finding during a radiological examination performed for other reasons. Infrequently, it can be diagnosed in adults, associated with an acute abdomen.

Congenital intestinal malrotation in adolescent and adult patients: a 12-year clinical and radiological survey

Congenital intestinal malrotation is mainly detected in childhood and caused by incomplete rotation and fixation of the intestines providing the prerequisites for life-threatening volvulus of the midgut. The objective of this study was to evaluate a large cohort of adult patients with intestinal malrotation. Thirty-nine patients, 15–67 years, were diagnosed and admitted to a university setting with congenital intestinal malrotation 2002–2013. The patients were divided into three age groups for stratified evaluation. Medical charts were scrutinized, and clinical outcome of surgery was reviewed. Twelve patients presented as emergency cases, whereas 27 were admitted as elective cases. Diagnosis was established in 33 patients who underwent radiological investigation and in the remaining 6 during surgery. A Ladd’s operation was performed in 31 symptomatic patients; a conservative strategy was chosen in eight cases. Volvulus was more common in the younger age group. Twenty-six surgically treated patients were available for telephone interview, 1–12 years after surgery. All patients, except one, regarded their general condition improved to a high degree (n = 18) or with some reservation (n = 7). Twelve patients suffered remaining abdominal pain of a chronic and diffuse character. Due to recurrence of malrotation six patients were reoperated. Symptomatic malrotation occurs in both children and the adult population. Improved awareness and an accurately performed CT scan can reveal the malformation and enable surgical treatment. A Ladd’s procedure relieved most patients from their severe complaints even when a history of several years of suffering existed.

[Caecal bascule, an unusual cause of intestinal obstruction]

BACKGROUND

Caecal bascule is an infrequent type of caecal volvulus. It appears when the caecum folds upon itself, causing an intestinal obstruction. It is usually diagnosed using imaging techniques or intra-operatively. A constrictive band related to previous abdominal surgery is frequently present, and acts as an inflexion point that results in a closed loop obstruction of the ascending colon. It has been reported in young women and in elderly hospitalised patients. The aim of this report is to describe the clinical features, diagnostic difficulties, and management strategies of this unusual entity.

CLINICAL CASE

An 83-year-old male with concurrent acute neurological illness presented with history of intestinal obstruction. Because of a previous right nephrectomy, postoperative adhesions were suspected and conservative treatment initiated. As no improvement was seen, a computed tomography scan was obtained. Abdominal tomography showed an intestinal obstruction and a caecal bascule with vascular compromise. A right colectomy was performed.

CONCLUSIONS

Caecal bascule is a rare cause of intestinal obstruction. The suspicion should be heightened when caecal ectopic dilation is present. Computed tomography scan is the preferred imaging technique, especially for ill patients. Right colectomy and primary anastomosis is the most appropriate surgical technique. Awareness of this entity can prevent the high morbidity and mortality rates of this condition.

Intestinal Malrotation With a Fixed Partial Volvulus in an Adult

A 44-year-old man had been suffering from nausea, vomiting and watery diarrhea for 5 days and was then admitted to Dankook University Hospital. He had suffered from several episodes of mild symptoms, including abdominal distension, loss of appetite, easy satiety, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea throughout his lifetime, but most episodes had been ignored by him or physicians. An upper gastrointestinal series and a computed tomography scan revealed an intestinal malrotation with a volvulus. In order to untwist the small bowel in a counterclockwise direction to about 180 degrees, we had to perform not only a dissection of Ladd's band, but also a dissection of other adhesions between the mesocolon and the mesenteric vessel trunk. Surgical intervention needs to be performed for an old intestinal malrotation with any symptoms because the structural or morphological change proceeds as time passes, which is caused by fibrosis due to tension being repetitively applied to Ladd's band, leading to its contraction. Furthermore, a severe contraction may even lead to a fixed partial volvulus.

[Intestinal volvulus. Case report and a literature review]

BACKGROUND

Small bowel volvulus is a rare cause of intestinal obstruction in adult patients. This disease is more common in children and its aetiology and management is different to that in adults.

CLINICAL CASE

A 30 year-old male with sarcoidosis presents with acute abdomen and clinical data of intestinal obstruction. Small bowel volvulus is diagnosed by a contrast abdominal tomography and an exploratory laparotomy is performed with devolvulation and no intestinal resection. In the days following surgery, he developed a recurrent small bowel volvulus, which was again managed with surgery, but without intestinal resection. Medical treatment for sarcoidosis was started, and with his clinical progress being satisfactory,he was discharged to home.

CONCLUSIONS

Making an early and correct diagnosis of small bowel volvulus prevents large intestinal resections. Many surgical procedures have been described with a high rate of complications. Therefore, conservative surgical management (no intestinal resection) is recommended as the best treatment with the lowest morbidity and mortality rate.

Volvulus of the Sigmoid Colon Associated With Rectal Cancer: A Case Report

Sigmoid volvulus is one of the three most common causes of acute colonic obstruction. Predisposing factors include chronic constipation, adhesion from a prior abdominal surgery, and megacolon. However, concomitant presentation of volvulus of the sigmoid colon and rectal cancer is extremely rare. We report a case of a 50-year-old woman with coexisting volvulus of the sigmoid colon and rectal cancer. The patient presented with abdominal distension and pain for 2 days. On computed tomography, the whole colon was dilated with gas and feces. A whirl sign with rotation of the inferior mesenteric vessel was identified. The rectum had irregular wall thickening. Colonoscopy showed a circumscribed, ulcerofungating mass approximately 6 cm from the anal verge. The sigmoid colon was obstructed at a point approximately 25 cm from the anal verge. The mucosa was hyperemic and edematous with the pathognomonic spiral pattern. Endoscopic reduction was not successful. On laparotomy, the sigmoid colon was rotated around its mesentery. It was severely distended with edematous, hyperemic serosa. A tumor of the rectum was identified in the mid-rectum. The patient underwent low anterior resection and protective ileostomy. Pathologic findings confirmed adenocarcinoma of the rectum. The postoperative course was complicated by an ileus, which was managed with conservative treatment.

[Gastrointestinal tract volvulus: diagnosis and correlation between plain-film X-ray and multidetector computed tomography findings]

Gastrointestinal volvuli cause processes that manifest as acute abdomen. Volvuli are important not because they are common, but rather because their possible complications can be severe. All types of volvuli share a common pathophysiology, which consists of intestinal obstruction in a closed loop that results in ischemia. The clinical manifestations are nonspecific, so radiologists play a very important role in the early identification of the most common signs of torsion. These include the "bird's beak sign", the "whirlpool sign", and signs of potentially reversible or irreversible ischemia. The treatment of choice in most cases is surgery, either to correct the torsion and save the organ or to resect it if it is necrotic.

Acute gastric volvulus treated with laparoscopic reduction and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy

Acute gastric volvulus requires emergency surgery, and a laparoscopic approach for both acute and chronic gastric volvulus was reported recently to give good results. The case of a 50-year-old patient with acute primary gastric volvulus who was treated by laparoscopic reduction and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy is described here. This approach seems to be feasible and safe for not only chronic gastric volvulus, but also acute gastric volvulus.

Cecal volvulus

A twisted loop of the bowel and its mesentery on a fixed point is known as volvulus and it may arise more frequently in the sigmoid colon and cecum. Cecal volvulus as an uncommon cause of acute intestinal obstruction is axial twist of the cecum, ascending colon and terminal ileum around their mesenteric pedicles. Although there are many different etiologic and predisposing factors for cecal volvulus, exact etiology is most likely multifactorial in presence of mobile cecum. Its clinical presentation is highly variable, ranging from intermittent episodes of abdominal pain to abdominal catastrophe depending on pattern, severity and duration of cecal volvulus causing intestinal obstruction. Due to its rarity and nonspecific presentation, preoperative diagnosis is rarely achieved in most cases. Abdominal radiographs as an initial diagnostic test are usually abnormal and can detect cecal volvulus in half of cases. Nowadays, computerized tomography is used for more accurate diagnosis and differentiation from other acute emergent conditions. Resection with right hemicolectomy and primary ileocolic anastomosis has been recommended for surgical treatment of cecal volvulus.