Intrauterine midgut volvulus without malrotation: diagnosis from the 'coffee bean sign'.
Fetal midgut volvulus is quite rare, and most cases are associated with abnormalities of intestinal rotation or fixation. We report a case of midgut volvulus without malrotation, associated with a meconium pellet, during the gestation period. This 2.79 kg, 33-wk infant was born via a spontaneous vaginal delivery caused by preterm labor. Prenatal ultrasound showed dilated bowel loops with the appearance of a 'coffee bean sign'. This patient had an unusual presentation with a distended abdomen showing skin discoloration. An emergency laparotomy revealed a midgut volvulus and a twisted small bowel, caused by complicated meconium ileus. Such nonspecific prenatal radiological signs and a low index of suspicion of a volvulus during gestation might delay appropriate surgical management and result in ischemic necrosis of the bowel. Preterm labor, specific prenatal sonographic findings (for example, the coffee bean sign) and bluish discoloration of the abdominal wall could suggest intrauterine midgut volvulus requiring prompt surgical intervention.
Park
Jun Seok
JS
Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University, 224-1 Heukseok-Dong, Dongjak-Gu, Seoul 156-755, Korea.
Cha
Seong Jae
SJ
Kim
Beom Gyu
BG
Kim
Yong Seok
YS
Choi
Yoo Shin
YS
Chang
In Taik
IT
Kim
Gwang Jun
GJ
Lee
Woo Seok
WS
Kim
Gi Hyeon
GH
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D045822:Intestinal Volvulus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008470:Meconium / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011247:Pregnancy; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal