Presentation of Small Bowel Volvulus in East Africa

Introduction: A benign gastrointestinal surgical condition involving torsion of part or all of a segment of small bowel on its mesenteric axis is small bowel volvulus (SBV). The clinical presentation is similar to acute mesenteric ischaemia and hence a preoperative clinical diagnosis is difficult to obtain. In developing countries, as a presenting surgical cause of small bowel obstruction it has contributed to a significant burden. The aim of this case report was to discuss a typical case of small bowel volvulus in a developing country and highlight the importance of resuscitation and early surgical intervention. Presentation of case: A 35 year old lady admitted to hospital with a 3 day history of colicky central abdominal pain. She reported a long period of fasting and sudden ingestion of food. On physical examination her abdomen was moderately distended with minimal tenderness. Laboratory investigations were normal and a plain abdominal X-ray revealed features suggestive of small bowel obstruction. After resuscitation the patient was taken for a laparotomy where evidence of SBV was found. An omental band adhesion was divided, the volvulus untwisted and the small bowel was all viable. The patient made an uneventful postoperative recovery. Discussion: The incidence of SBV is higher in Africa, Asia and the Middle East compared to the Western world. Secondary SBV is more commonly found in older age groups however primary SBV is more common in children. The most common complaints of SBV includes abdominal pain, abdominal distention and vomiting. The mortality rate due to SBV has been found to be decreasing with early diagnosis due to abdominal CT scanning. This reduction in mortality is due to a reduction in the incidence of gangrene of the SBV. Conclusions: Due to the high mortality and variable presentation, surgeons must consider small bowel volvulus a probably diagnosis in a patient with abdominal pain and features of small bowel obstruction. Early surgical intervention is necessary to reduce the morbidity and mortality from SBV.

Ileosigmoidian knot about an observation at the Donka CHU National Hospital in Conakry

Introduction: The ileosigmoid node is a double volvulus involving the sigmoid and the small intestine. The preoperative diagnosis is difficult in our practice setting. We report a case of ileosigmoid node that we discuss with data from the literature. Observation: This was a 40-year-old man admitted for diffuse abdominal pain of progressive onset, paroxysmal, accompanied by cessation of materials and gas, profuse vomiting of food and hiccups, progressing for 24 hours. With a history of persistent constipation and episodes of sub-occlusion, clinical examination noted pain, abdominal distension and dullness of the flanks and inaudible peristalsis. The digital rectal examination noted an emptiness of the rectal bulb and a bulging of the Douglas. The biological assessment was unremarkable. The ASP showed an arched image. Confirmation was intraoperative with a small bowel volvulus around the sigmoid in the form of a node producing double ileal and sigmoid necrosis. We performed an ileo-ileal anastomosis resection and a left iliac colostomy using the Hartman technique. The postoperative follow-up was simple, the patient was discharged on D10 postoperative. Six weeks later the patient was readmitted for restoration of colonic continuity. Five months later, no complaints were reported. Conclusion: The ileo-sigmoid node is a rare cause of intestinal obstruction, difficult to diagnose preoperatively in our exercise setting, the progression is rapid towards digestive necrosis. The availability of emergency CT examinations and early management of this condition would improve the prognosis.

An Unusual Case of Small Bowel Volvulus Associated with Pneumatosis Intestinalis: A Case Report

INTRODUCTION: Pneumatosis cystoid intestinalis (PCI) is a rare disease reported in the literature affecting 0.03% of the population. It has a variety of causes and its manifestation may change widely. In the acute complicated form of pneumatosis intestinalis, management is challenging for physicians and surgeons. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of a 60-year-old patient who was admitted to our surgical department with a symptomatology suggestive of small bowel occlusion. Computed tomography demonstrated ileal volvulus associated with parietal signs suffering and pneumoperitoneum. An emergent exploratory laparoscopy followed by conversion was performed demonstrating segmental ileal pneumatosis intestinalis secondary to a small bowel volvulus due to an inflammatory appendix wrapping around the distal ileum. Detorsion, retrograde draining, and appendectomy were performed. DISCUSSION: PCI is an uncommon disease, affecting 0.03% of the population. It is usually presenting as a marginal finding resulting from various gastrointestinal pathologies. This case is exceedingly rare in the literature, featured by the ileal volvulus due to appendicitis.CONCLUSION: This work emphasizes the importance of surgical procedures in the management of symptomatic pneumatosis intestinalis.

Prenatal Sonographic Diagnosis and Clinical Management of Fetal Small Bowel Volvulus

Background The purpose of this research is to explore prenatal ultrasound features and clinical managements of fetal small bowel volvulus. At present, researchers mainly focus on the prenatal ultrasound features of fetal small bowel volvulus, and rarely summarize them in combination with the principles of clinical treatment. Methods 11 cases of fetal small bowel volvulus identified by prenatal ultrasound or neonatal surgery in our institution between January 2019 and January 2021 were included. General characteristics of pregnant women, features of prenatal ultrasound, clinical managements and prognosis of neonates were collected. Finally, prenatal ultrasound features and obstetric managements of fetal volvulus was summarized. Results At the first diagnosis, the whirlpool sign and intestinal dilatation were visualized in 11 cases. 3 cases underwent emergency caesarean because of the disappearance of dilated bowel peristalsis, massive ascites and fetal intrauterine hypoxia. The rest 8 cases were followed up by ultrasound, pregnancy outcomes were four regressed intrauterine spontaneously and delivered at term, two underwent emergency caesarean, one premature and one induced labor. 6 cases underwent neonatal surgery immediately after birth and received favorable outcomes.Conclusions Intestinal distention and the whirlpool sign are important ultrasonic features in the diagnosis of fetal small bowel volvulus. The disappearance of intestinal peristalsis of the volvulus segment, massive ascites and intrauterine hypoxia are the main basis for emergency prenatal clinical intervention.

Ascariasis in a 75-year-old man with small bowel volvulus: a case report

Background Ascaris lumbricoides and Ascaris suum are the most common soil-transmitted helminths of humans and pigs, respectively. The zoonotic potential of A. suum has been a matter of debate for decades. This study was aimed to present a case of human ascariasis caused by A. suum in southern Italy. Case presentation A 75-year-old man presented to the department of surgery in Avellino (southern Italy) complaining of abdominal pain and vomiting. Physical examination revealed bloating and abdominal tenderness. A computed tomography scan showed air-fluid levels and small bowel distension. During exploratory laparotomy a small bowel volvulus with mesenteritis was evident and surprisingly an intraluminal worm was detected. The worm was removed with a small enterotomy and identified as an adult female of A. suum based on morphological and molecular analysis. Faecal examination revealed the presence of unfertilized Ascaris eggs with an intensity of 16 eggs per gram (EPG) of faeces. The patient was treated with mebendanzole 100 mg twice a day for 3 days. The post-operative course was regular with re-alimentation after 3 days and discharge after 12 days. Conclusions This report shows as A. suum can function as a relevant agent of human zoonosis. Therefore, in patients with bowel obstruction with no evident aetiology a helminthic infestation should be considered for an accurate diagnosis, especially in patients living in rural areas.

Axially torsional Meckel's diverticulum accompanied by small bowel volvulus: a case report

Small bowel volvulus secondary to Meckel’s diverticulum is rare, and a delayed diagnosis results in disastrous outcomes. Computed tomography is conducive to early differential diagnosis. In particular, a blind-ending pouch structure on CT always indicates Meckel’s diverticulum. Diverticulectomy with or without adjacent partial small intestinal resection is the standard treatment for symptomatic Meckel’s diverticulum. However, the therapy for asymptomatic Meckel’s diverticulum is controversial. Here, we report the case of a 20-year-old man who suffered intestinal obstruction secondary to small bowel volvulus caused by an axially torsional, gangrenous, and giant Meckel’s diverticulum. Diverticulectomy with partial intestinal resection was performed.