Presentation
One day of distension and progressive diffuse abdominal pain. Constipation but no fever or vomiting.
Patient Data
Age: 85 years
Gender: Male
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Markedly dilated bowel in the abdomen, with the apex of the dilated loops pointing toward the right upper quadrant.
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There is a markedly dilated sigmoid colon, with an abrupt transition point at the rectosigmoid junction and swirling of the surrounding mesentery and vessels.
Case Discussion
Sigmoid volvulus is an abnormal twisting of the sigmoid colon along its mesenteric axis that causes closed-loop obstruction and can lead to ischemia, perforation, and death.