title: Intrauterine midgut volvulus without malrotation: diagnosis from the 'coffee bean sign'.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University, 224-1 Heukseok-Dong, Dongjak-Gu, Seoul 156-755, Korea.
authors.forename: Jun Seok
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Seong Jae
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Cha
authors.forename: Beom Gyu
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Yong Seok
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Yoo Shin
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: In Taik
authors.initials: IT
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Gwang Jun
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Woo Seok
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Gi Hyeon
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: 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