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.
From the case:
Sigmoid volvulus
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Annotated images.
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.