Skip to content
intestinal volvulus
EntityQ388388· pop 23· linked from 308 articles

intestinal volvulus

Sign in to save

Also known as Twist of intestine, bowel, or colon, Volvulus (& [torsion of bowel]), Volvulus NOS (disorder), intestinal volvulus (disorder), Volvulus

A volvulus is a bowel obstruction resulting from a loop of intestine twisting around itself and its supporting mesentery. Symptoms include abdominal pain, abdominal bloating, vomiting, constipation, and bloody stool. Onset of symptoms may be rapid or more gradual. The mesentery may become so tightly twisted that blood flow to part of the intestine is cut off, resulting in ischemic bowel. In this situation there may be fever or significant pain when the abdomen is touched.

Key facts

Medical condition (new).name
Volvulus
Medical condition (new).image
Volvulus.PNG
Medical condition (new).caption
Coronal CT of the abdomen, demonstrating a volvulus as indicated by twisting of the bowel stock
Medical condition (new).field
General surgery
Medical condition (new).symptoms
Abdominal pain, abdominal bloating, vomiting, constipation, bloody stool
Medical condition (new).complications
Ischemic bowel
Medical condition (new).onset
Rapid or more gradual
Medical condition (new).risks
Intestinal malrotation, enlarged colon, Hirschsprung disease, pregnancy, abdominal adhesions, chronic constipation
Medical condition (new).diagnosis
Medical imaging (plain X-rays, GI series, CT scan)
Medical condition (new).treatment
Sigmoidoscopy, barium enema, bowel resection
Medical condition (new).frequency
2.5 per 100,000 per year

via Wikipedia infobox

Wikidata facts

Image
Volvulus of the ascending colon Wellcome L0061635.jpg
Show 4 more facts
Commons category
Volvulus
NCI Thesaurus ID
C98963
ICD-9-CM
560.2
Sources (3)

via Wikidata · CC0

~9 min read

Article

11 sections
Contents
  • Signs and symptoms
  • Complications
  • Causes
  • Types
  • Diagnosis
  • Treatment
  • Sigmoid
  • Cecal
  • Other
  • References
  • External links

A volvulus is a bowel obstruction resulting from a loop of intestine twisting around itself and its supporting mesentery. Symptoms include abdominal pain, abdominal bloating, vomiting, constipation, and bloody stool. Onset of symptoms may be rapid or more gradual. The mesentery may become so tightly twisted that blood flow to part of the intestine is cut off, resulting in ischemic bowel. In this situation there may be fever or significant pain when the abdomen is touched.

Risk factors include a birth defect known as intestinal malrotation, an enlarged colon, Hirschsprung disease, pregnancy, and abdominal adhesions. Long term constipation and a high fiber diet may also increase the risk. The most commonly affected part of the intestines in adults is the sigmoid colon, with the cecum being the second most affected. In children the small intestine is more often involved. The stomach can also be affected. Diagnosis is typically with medical imaging such as plain X-rays, a GI series, or CT scan.

Gallery (2)

Connections

Categories