Diagnostic Challenges in Adult Intestinal Malrotation: A Case Report and Literature Review.

ABSTRACT

Adult intestinal malrotation is a rare anatomical anomaly that typically manifests during infancy but can also present in adulthood. Symptoms are mainly digestive, with a long history of intermittent abdominal pain and epigastralgia. It often presents a diagnostic challenge due to the varied and nonspecific nature of clinical symptoms. Radiological evaluations reveal diverse patterns of malrotation, including incomplete rotation, mesenteric base abnormalities, and associated malformations. Computed tomography (CT) scans consistently identify characteristic anatomical distortions, aiding in accurate diagnosis. In this context, we present a unique case in which contrast-enhanced CT of the abdomen, initially conducted to investigate a suspected episode of acute pancreatitis accompanied by epigastralgia, fortuitously revealed the presence of intestinal malrotation. Once the diagnosis has been made, the therapeutic approach is based on monitoring or managing complications such as intestinal obstruction. Early recognition and accurate radiological assessment of intestinal malrotation play an essential role in establishing the diagnosis and guiding appropriate management strategies. Increased awareness among clinicians and radiologists is essential to avoid delays in diagnosis and the potential complications associated with this entity.