Twists and turns in acute abdomen: imaging spectrum of torsions and volvulus

Abstract

Twisting of the abdominal organs usually leads to acute abdomen, and a timely diagnosis is critical to salvage organ viability. Early diagnosis and prompt intervention are essential to avoid complications of ischemia and gangrene. Volvulus/torsion of the abdominal and pelvic organs present with non-specific clinical symptoms such as acute severe abdominal or pelvic pain generally necessitating imaging diagnosis. Since the timely critical diagnosis is necessary, emergency radiologists need to be well versed with the pertinent imaging findings of this acute surgical condition.