Neonatal gastric volvulus: another cause of "Mucousy baby" with gasless abdomen

Abstract

Neonatal acute gastric volvulus is rare and often associated with diaphragmatic anomalies. Patients usually present with vomiting and respiratory distress, but excessive salivation, failure to pass a nasogastric tube beyond 20 cms and the presence of a space occupying thoracic lesion should also prompt a search for the entity. The authors describe a case presenting with these atypical findings and stress the importance of the plain radiograph chest to make a diagnosis.