Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Large bowel volvulus in children

Review of a case material and the literature

  • Originals
  • Published:
Pediatric Radiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Four pediatric patients with volvulus of the right colon, and three others with twisting of the sigmoid colon are reported. The clinical manifestations, mainly pain, were vague. Radiological plain film findings were occasionally characteristic, but were in the majority of cases equivocal. An active radiological approach including a supplementary barium enema in any patient with inconclusive plain abdominal roentgenograms will, in addition to other unexpected diagnoses, reveal rare cases of large bowel volvulus. Elective surgical procedures, carried out on viable bowel do not necessarily provide advantages over a non-operative approach. In addition spontaneous reduction of the volvulus may result in permanent cure.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Drapanas T, Stewart J D (1961) Acute sigmoid volvulus. Concepts in surgical treatment. Am J Surg 101: 70

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Carter R, Hinshaw D (1961) Acute sigmoid volvulus in children. Am J Dis Child 101: 123

    Google Scholar 

  3. Allen R P, Nordström J E (1964) Volvulus of the sigmoid in children. AJR 91: 690

    Google Scholar 

  4. Lillard R L, Allen R P, Nordström J E (1966) Sigmoid volvulus in children. A case report. AJR 97: 223

    Google Scholar 

  5. Hunter J G, Keats T E (1970) Sigmoid volvulus in children. A case report. AJR 108: 621

    Google Scholar 

  6. Riddervold H O, Keats T E, Son K S (1971) Sigmoid volvulus in children. A case report. J Assoc Can Radiol 22: 270

    Google Scholar 

  7. Campbell J R, Blank E (1974) Sigmoid volvulus in children. Pediatrics 53: 702

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Wilk P J, Ross M, Lenoidas J (1974) Sigmoid volvulus in an 11-year-old girl. Case report and literature review. Am J Dis Child 127: 400

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Howell H S, Freeark R J, Bartizal J F (1976) Transverse colon volvulus in pediatric patients. Arch Surg 111: 90

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Dadoo R C, Keswani R K (1977) Volvulus of the transverse colon in a child. A case report of a rare disorder. Clin Pediatr 16: 751

    Google Scholar 

  11. Smith R B, Kettlewell M G, Gough M H (1977) Intermittent sigmoid volvulus in the younger age groups. Br J Surg 64:406

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Taneja S B, Kakar A, Ayyar R D (1977) Sigmoidal volvulus in childhood: Report of two cases. Dis Colon Rectum 20:62

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Gonil A H, Shah N N, Trivedi P S (1978) Volvulus of the caecum in children. A report of two cases. Indian Pediatr 15:361

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Keramidas D C, Skondras C, Anagnostou D, Voyatzis N (1979) Volvulus of the sigmoid colon. J Pediatr Surg 14:479

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Boerma W J (1980) Intermittent volvulus of the sigmoid colon. Med J Aust 1: 223

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Buts J P, Claus D, Beguin J C, Otte J B (1980) Acute and chronic sigmoid volvulus in childhood: Report of three cases. Z Kinderchir 29:30

    Google Scholar 

  17. Smola E (1969) Der Sigmavolvulus im Kindesalter. MMW 43: 2197

    Google Scholar 

  18. v Buch K G, Schumacher W (1974) Die Sigma-Torsion im Kindesalter. Z Kinderchir 15:168

    Google Scholar 

  19. Currie D J (1979) Abdominal pain. McGraw-Hill, Washington New York London, p 203

    Google Scholar 

  20. Eklöf O, Lette E (1977) Scanty intestinal gas in infants and children. Clinical significance and radiologic diagnosis. Acta Radiol [Diagn] (Stockh) 19:259

    Google Scholar 

  21. Eklöf O, Hartelius H (1980) Reliability of the abdominal plain film diagnosis in pediatric patients with suspected intussusception. Pediatr Radiol 9:199

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Bruusgaard C (1947) Volvulus of the sigmoid colon and its treatment. Surgery 22:466

    Google Scholar 

  23. Kerry R L, Lee F, Ransom H K (1971) Roentgenologic examination in the diagnosis and treatment of colon volvulus. AJR 113:343

    Google Scholar 

  24. Kronborg O, Lauritsen K (1975) Volvulus of the colon. Acta Chir Scand 141:550

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. McGraw J P, Kremen A J, Rigler L G (1948) The roentgen diagnosis of volvulus of the cecum. Surgery 24:793

    Google Scholar 

  26. Anderson J R, Lee D (1980) Acute caecal volvulus. Br J Surg 67: 39

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Shepherd J J (1968) Treatment of volvulus of sigmoid colon: a review of 425 cases. Br Med J I: 280

    Google Scholar 

  28. Sturzaker H G, Lawrie R S, Joiner C L (1975) Recurrent sigmoid volvulus in young people; a missed diagnosis. Br Med J II:338

    Google Scholar 

  29. Krausz M M, Uretzky G, Charuzi I, (1979) Sigmoidal volvulus in young adult patients. Dis Colon Rectum 22: 200

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Young W S, Engelbrecht H E, Stoker A (1978) Plain film analysis in sigmoid volvulus. Clin Radiol 29:553

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. O'Mara C S, Wilson Jr T H, Stonesifer G L, Cameron J L (1980) Cecal volvulus: Analysis of 50 patients with long-term follow-up. Curr Surg 37:132

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Frimann Dahl J (1974) Roentgen examinations in acute abdominal diseases, 3rd edn. Thomas, Springfield, IL, p 279

    Google Scholar 

  33. Melamed M, Kubian E (1963) Relationship of the autonomic nervous system to “functional” obstruction of the intestinal tract. Radiology 80:22

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Schuffler M D, Lowe M C, Bill A H (1977) Studies of idiopathic intestinal pseudoobstruction. I. Hereditary hollow visceral myopathy: clinical and pathological studies. Gastroenterology 73:327

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Eklöf O, Ringertz H (1975) The value of barium enema in establishing nature and level of intestinal obstruction. Pediatr Radiol 3:6

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Hinshaw D B, Carter R (1957) Surgical management of acute volvulus of the sigmoid colon. A study of 55 cases. Ann Surg 146:52

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatric Radiology, Karolinska Hospital, P.O.Box 60500, S-10401, Stockholm, Sweden

    J. F. Andersen & O. Eklöf

  2. Department of Surgery, Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden

    B. Thomasson

Authors
  1. J. F. Andersen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. O. Eklöf
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. B. Thomasson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Andersen, J.F., Eklöf, O. & Thomasson, B. Large bowel volvulus in children. Pediatr Radiol 11, 129–138 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00971814

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00971814

Key words

Search

Navigation