Volvulus Features Flashcards
What is volvulus?
Torsion of the colon around its mesenteric axis resulting in compromised blood flow and closed loop obstruction.
Volvulus can lead to serious complications if not treated promptly.
What percentage of volvulus cases are sigmoid volvulus?
Around 80% of cases.
Sigmoid volvulus is the most common type of bowel obstruction.
What causes sigmoid volvulus?
Twisting of the sigmoid colon on the sigmoid mesocolon.
This condition leads to large bowel obstruction.
What percentage of volvulus cases occur at the caecum?
20% of cases.
Caecal volvulus is less common but can occur due to developmental issues.
Why is the caecum at risk of volvulus in some patients?
Developmental failure of peritoneal fixation of the proximal bowel.
Most people have a retroperitoneal caecum, reducing the risk.
List some associations with sigmoid volvulus.
- Older patients
- Chronic constipation
- Chagas disease
- Neurological conditions (e.g., Parkinson’s disease, Duchenne muscular dystrophy)
- Psychiatric conditions (e.g., schizophrenia)
These associations highlight the demographic and health factors that increase risk.
List some associations with caecal volvulus.
- All ages
- Adhesions
- Pregnancy
Caecal volvulus can affect individuals across different age groups.
What are common features of volvulus?
- Constipation
- Abdominal bloating
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea/vomiting
These symptoms may vary in intensity and presentation.
How is sigmoid volvulus diagnosed?
Usually diagnosed on the abdominal film showing large bowel obstruction and coffee bean sign.
The coffee bean sign is a classic radiographic finding in sigmoid volvulus.
What does the abdominal film show in caecal volvulus?
Small bowel obstruction may be seen.
Diagnosis may also involve other imaging studies for confirmation.
