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.

Malrotación-vólvulo intestinal: hallazgos radiológicos / Intestinal malrotation - volvulus: imaging findings

El radiólogo debe ser capaz de reconocer los signos de la malrotación intestinal en la imagen al tratarse de una entidad patológica con complicaciones potencialmente letales, como el vólvulo de intestino medio. Para diagnosticarla correctamente, es tan importante que exista un índice de sospecha clínica elevado como que el radiólogo sepa reconocer los signos específicos de malrotación y las variantes de la normalidad que pueden conducir a un diagnóstico erróneo. Aunque la posición no retroperitoneal de la tercera porción duodenal en ecografía, TC o RM parece ser un signo fiable para el diagnóstico, el tránsito gastrointestinal continúa siendo el estándar de referencia para ver la unión duodeno-yeyunal en una posición anómala. Nuestro objetivo es revisar los principales signos radiológicos de esta enfermedad y hacer hincapié en el papel de la ecografía para diagnosticar el vólvulo de intestino medio (AU)

Radiologists must be able to recognize the imaging signs of intestinal malrotation because this condition can lead to potentially lethal complications such as midgut volvulus. The correct diagnosis depends on both high clinical suspicion and the radiologist's ability to recognize the specific signs of malrotation and the normal variants that can lead to the wrong diagnosis. Although the location of the third portion of the duodenum outside the retroperitoneal area on ultrasonography, CT, or MRI seems to be a reliable sign of malrotation, the gold standard for determining whether the duodenojejunal flexure is in an abnormal location continues to be the upper gastrointestinal series. In this article, we review the most important imaging signs of malrotation and emphasize the role of ultrasonography in diagnosing midgut volvulus (AU)

[Polygonal mosaic-like pattern of the colonic mucosa in cecal volvulus: CT findings]. / Patrón en mosaico de la pared del colon en un caso con vólvulo de ciego: hallazgos en TC.

A polygonal mosaic-like pattern of colonic mucosa is a rare radiological finding that was first described in studies using barium enema. We describe the CT findings of this pattern in a case of cecal volvulus.

Cecal volvulus: report of a case and review of Japanese literature.

A 78-year-old woman presented with fever, severe abdominal pain, and distension. She had been institutionalized for depression and senile dementia. Laboratory examinations disclosed a leucocytosis (WBC: 12,500/microL) and elevated levels of serum C-reactive protein (2.8 mEq/L). Diagnosis of acute cecal volvulus was made from a "coffee bean sign" on an abdominal computed tomography and a "beak sign" on a gastrographin enema. An emergent laparotomy confirmed the diagnosis and an ileo-colectomy with primary anastomosis was carried out. The patient recovered after intensive respiratory care and fluid therapy, and then returned to her former institution. A review of Japanese literature disclosed that: (1) a marked increase of aged patients with mental disability presenting with cecal volvulus, (2) adoption of ileo-colectomy as the standard surgical procedure, and (3) improved survival of the patients, were observed in the last decade.