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Case Reports
. 2025 Jan 17;104(3):e41337.
doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000041337.

Prenatal diagnosis and treatment of fetal intestinal volvulus: A case report

Xiaoyan Zeng  1 , Xiang Li  2 , Weinong Mo  1 , Xuefen Zhu  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Prenatal diagnosis and treatment of fetal intestinal volvulus: A case report

Xiaoyan Zeng et al. Medicine (Baltimore). .

Abstract

Rationale: Fetal intestinal volvulus, a rare and severe disorder, poses significant diagnostic challenges prenatally and can lead to intrauterine death or adverse neonatal outcomes if untreated in a timely manner. This study reports a case of fetal intestinal volvulus confirmed postoperatively, providing insights into its clinical manifestations, diagnostic methods, and treatment outcomes, thereby enhancing understanding of this rare condition.

Patient concerns: A Chinese gravida 2, para 1 female presented at 32 weeks and 5 days of gestation with decreased fetal movements. Fetal ultrasound and MRI revealed small intestinal torsion and obstruction. Due to fetal distress, an emergency cesarean section was performed, followed by an urgent laparotomy on the neonate to untwist the intestinal volvulus and resect the necrotic bowel segment.

Diagnosis: Fetal intestinal volvulus.

Interventions: Following an emergency cesarean section, the neonate was promptly transferred to the surgical department for immediate surgical intervention. The procedure encompassed detorsion of the intestinal volvulus and resection of the necrotic bowel segment.

Outcomes: The infant exhibited a satisfactory postoperative recovery, successfully transitioned to complete oral and gastrointestinal nutrition, and demonstrated normal physical growth and cognitive development during the ensuing follow-up period.

Lessons: Fetal intestinal volvulus requires multidisciplinary collaboration for diagnosis and treatment. Early recognition, prompt delivery, and urgent surgical intervention are crucial for optimizing neonatal outcomes. By sharing this case, we hope to enhance the diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities of healthcare providers in managing this rare but severe condition.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no funding and conflicts of interest to disclose.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Fetal ultrasound revealed intestinal dilation with ascites (white arrow), Whirlpool sign (yellow arrow).
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
The fetal MRI Showed that the intestinal was spirally dilated (yellow arrow), and the ascites was visible (white arrow). MRI = magnetic resonance imaging.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Ileum torsion (blue arrow), bowel necrosis, mesenteric defect (red arrow).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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