Early diagnostic clues in neonatal chronic gastric volvulus

Abstract

Purpose: Neonatal gastric volvulus (GV) is a rare clinical entity with a challenging diagnosis. In this study, we aimed to identify clinical and radiological findings to aid in early diagnosis in neonatal GV.

Materials and methods: The medical records of all neonates with GV were retrospectively reviewed. Diagnosis was made based on clinical findings and radiological images, and was documented by an upper gastrointestinal (UGI) contrast study.

Results: A total of eight neonates were included in the study. The most common clinical presentations were non-bilious vomiting and epigastric distention. The findings highly suggestive for GV in plain radiographs include gastric double bubble, abnormal gastric distention despite a nasogastric tube, distended stomach lying in a horizontal plane and an air-fluid level in the epigastrium.

Conclusion: GV should be suspected in any newborn with non-bilious vomiting and epigastric distention. It is also important to focus on the clues in the plain radiographs. Gastric double bubble, abnormal gastric distention despite a nasogastric tube, distended stomach lying in a horizontal plane and an air-fluid level in the epigastrium must alert the physicians to the possibility of GV.