Sigmoid volvulus – With a twist

Sigmoid Volvulus: A New Twist to an Old Problem

Reports of a volvulus (twisting) of the sigmoid colon can be found in a papyrus from ancient Egypt. However, sigmoid volvulus represents a spectrum of disease across the globe from young men in central Africa to the elderly institutionalised patients in Western Europe and the USA. As the population ages the prevalence of sigmoid volvulus is likely to rise. As an acute presentation, it represent...

Sigmoid colon volvulus in pregnancy: a case report

Background: Sigmoid volvulus is a rare complication in pregnancy. The clinical presentation is similar to that of non-pregnant volvulus, although the symptoms can be masked by the enlarged uterus and physiological changes during pregnancy and it can be challenged and delayed in diagnosis and treatment. Delay in diagnosis can also lead to ischemia, necrosis and perforation of the intestine, whic...

Classification of Sigmoid Volvulus

Management of Sigmoid Volvulus Avoiding Sigmoid Resection

Acute sigmoid volvulus is typically caused by an excessively mobile and redundant segment of colon with a stretched mesenteric pedicle. When this segment twists on its pedicle, the result can be obstruction, ischemia and perforation. A healthy, 18-year-old Caucasian woman presented to the emergency department complaining of cramping abdominal pain, distention, constipation and obstipation for t...

Volvulus of the Sigmoid

Volvulus is possible in any portion of the intestinal tract from the stomach to the sigmoid colon. Thus volvulus of the stomach, due to gastroptosis, an hour-glass contraction or certain kinds of injury, although extremely rare, is known. Volvulus of Meckel's diverticulum when it is persistent is recorded. Similarly volvulus of the small intestines, the ileo-csGcal junction or even of the csecu...