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Case Reports
. 2016 Apr 26:17:283-8.
doi: 10.12659/ajcr.896888.

Spontaneous Acute Mesenteroaxial Gastric Volvulus Diagnosed by Computed Tomography Scan in a Young Man

Gaby Jabbour  1 , Ibrahim Afifi  1 , Mohamed Ellabib  1 , Ayman El-Menyar  2 , Hassan Al-Thani  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Spontaneous Acute Mesenteroaxial Gastric Volvulus Diagnosed by Computed Tomography Scan in a Young Man

Gaby Jabbour et al. Am J Case Rep. .

Abstract

Background: Acute gastric volvulus is a surgical emergency that requires early recognition and treatment. Acute idiopathic mesenteroaxial gastric volvulus is a rare sub-type and there are few cases reported in children and there are even fewer reports in adults.

Case report: We report a rare case of a 23-year-old man who presented with a 1-day history of vomiting, epigastric pain, distention, and constipation. The diagnosis for mesenteroaxial type gastric volvulus was confirmed by abdominal radiography and computed tomography. The patient was successfully treated by laparotomy with resection of the ischemic stomach wall and anastomosis. Acute spontaneous mesenteroaxial gastric volvulus is rare in adults and early diagnosis is challenging due to non-specific symptoms. A missed or delayed diagnosis may result in serious complications due to gastric obstruction.

Conclusions: A patient presenting with severe epigastric pain and clinical evidence of gastric outlet obstruction should be considered as a surgical emergency to rule out gastric volvulus. High index of suspicion, early diagnosis and prompt surgical management are important for favorable outcome in patients with acute spontaneous gastric volvulus.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Supine abdominal X-ray showing gastric dilatation.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
(A) computed tomography scan with transverse cuts showing stomach rotation. (B) Computed tomography scan with axial and sagittal cuts showing rotation point.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Perforated posterolateral stomach wall with ischemic edges, showing nasogastric tube protruding from the defect.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Postero-lateral wall repair.
Figure 5.
Figure 5.
Oral Gastrografin study on day 8 postoperatively.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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