Delayed diagnosis of intermittent mesenteroaxial volvulus of the stomach by computed tomography: a case report.
BACKGROUND
Gastric volvulus is a rare condition. Presenting acutely, mesenteroaxial gastric volvulus has characteristic symptoms and may be easily detected with upper gastrointestinal contrast studies. In contrast, subacute, intermittent cases present with intermittent vague symptoms from episodic twisting and untwisting. Imaging in these cases is only useful if performed in the symptomatic interval.


METHODS
We describe a patient with a long history of intermittent chest and epigastric pain. An earlier barium meal was not diagnostic. Diagnosis was finally secured during the current admission by a combination of (1) serum investigations, (2) endoscopy, and finally (3) computed tomography.


CONCLUSIONS
Non-specific and misleading symptoms and signs may delay the diagnosis of intermittent, subacute volvulus. Imaging studies performed in the well interval may be non-diagnostic. Elevated creatine kinase and aldolase of a non-cardiac cause and endoscopic findings of ischaemic ulceration and difficulty in negotiating the pylorus may raise the suspicion of gastric volvulus. In this case, abdominal computed tomography with spatial reconstruction was crucial in securing the final diagnosis.
Woon
Colin Yi-Loong
CY
Department of General Surgery, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore. wolv23@gmail.com
Chung
Alexander Yaw-Fui
AY
Low
Albert Su-Chong
AS
Wong
Wai-Keong
WK