Presentation
Epigastric pain
Patient Data
Opacity projected over the lower third of the right hemithorax.
The stomach is entirely intrathoracic and associated with a gastric volvulus with both organo-axial and mesentero-axial components.
The stomach is distended with that night's dinner. The pylorus lies at the expected position of the gastro-esophageal junction. Oral contrast passes into the small bowel.
Patchy infiltrates in the lung may be due to aspiration in this setting.
Case Discussion
A gastric volvulus occurs when the stomach twists on its mesentery.
Organo-axial (rotation along the long axis) is more common than mesentero-axial (rotation along the short axis) in the adult population. The reverse is true for the pediatric population.
Imaging may reveal a completely intra-thoracic stomach. A gastric volvulus is a surgical emergency.
Unable to process the form. Check for errors and try again.