title: Small and large bowel volvulus: Clues to early recognition and complications.
abstract: Small and large bowel volvulus are uncommon causes of bowel obstruction with nonspecific clinical manifestations which may delay the diagnosis and increase morbidity. Therefore, radiologists play an important role in promptly establishing the diagnosis, recognizing underlying congenital or acquired risk factors and detecting potentially life-threatening complications. Multidetector CT performed with intravenous contrast is currently the preferred modality for the evaluation of volvulus, which is best appreciated when imaging is perpendicular to the axis of bowel rotation, hence the benefit of multiplanar reformations. In this pictorial essay we review the pathophysiology of the different types of intestinal volvulus, discuss diagnostic criteria for prompt diagnosis of volvulus and emphasize early recognition of the complications.
authors.affiliation: Département de radiologie, Hôpital Saint-Luc, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Montréal (CHUM), 1058 rue Saint-Denis, Montréal, Québec, Canada H2X 3J4.
authors.forename: Marianne
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lepage-Saucier
authors.forename: An
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Jean-Sébastien
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Billiard
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Murphy-Lavallée
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lepanto
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D045822:Intestinal Volvulus / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D007420:Intestine, Large / Q000473:pathology*; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000473:pathology*; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed