Volvulus/intususseption Flashcards Preview

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Flashcards in Volvulus/intususseption Deck (12)
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1
Q

What is intussusception?

A

When a part of the intestine folds in on itself causing obstruction
Most common cause of obstruction in infants
Ileocecal region (ileum fold into cecum)
Caused by: polyps/tumors (adults)
Lymphoid hyperplasia (babies)
Meckel’s diverticulim
Idiopathic

2
Q

What are the risk factors for intussusception?

A

Having had one previously
Having a sibling with intussusception
Having intestinal malrotation

3
Q

What are the signs of intussusception?

A
Intermittent abdominal pain 
Guarding 
Vomiting 
Hard, sausage like mass in abdomen 
Iscahemia- infarction 
Red currant jelly stool 
Sepsis, fever 
Obstruction  - large mass 
Volvulus
4
Q

What does intussusception look like on imaging?

A

A Bulls-eye telescoped intestine on end

5
Q

What is a volvulus?

A

An obstruction caused by a loop in the intestines that twists around itself and surrounding mesentery
Sigmoid, cecal and midgut are the most common

6
Q

When do sigmoid volvulus’ occur?

A

Pregnancy
Middle-aged and elderly- constipation (Hirschsprung)
Abdominal adhesions

7
Q

When do cecal volvulus’ occur?

A

Abdominal mesentery didn’t develop normally
Colon can flop around freely
Fetus/stool

8
Q

When do midgut volvulus’ occur?

A

Babies and small children

Abnormal intestinal development

9
Q

What are the complications of a volvulus?

A

Bowel obstruction
Infarction
Sepsis (cardiovascular collapse)

10
Q

What does a volvulus look like on imaging?

A

Abdo x-ray- Looks like a bent inner tube/coffee bean

Barium enema- birds beak

11
Q

What are sigmoid volvulus associations?

A

older patients
chronic constipation
Chagas disease
neurological conditions e.g. Parkinson’s disease, Duchenne muscular dystrophy
psychiatric conditions e.g. schizophrenia

12
Q

Strangulation symptoms

A

Usually volvulus/hernia
Increasing pain/tenderness + leucocytosis & systemic upset –> peritonism & absent bowel sounds
Sigmoid volvulus: elderly constipated patients
Caecal volvulus: congenital malrotation