title: Congenital midgut volvulus associated with fetal anemia.
abstract: Congenital volvulus is a life-threatening condition, both for the fetus and for the newborn. A volvulus is a twist of small bowel loops or a proximal part of the colon around the mesenteric artery or its branches. The potential consequences of volvulus are ileus and necrosis of the intestinal wall. Prenatal diagnosis of midgut volvulus is difficult. It should be suspected antenatally when polyhydramnios, intestinal dilatation, ascites and/or signs of fetal anemia are present on ultrasound assessment. We report a case of a congenital midgut volvulus associated with fetal anemia. The fetal ultrasound performed at 32 weeks' gestation showed a polyhydramnios, hydrothorax, thick ascites accumulation around the liver and the suspicion of a dilated bowel loop. Additionally, Doppler examination showed an increased value of peak systolic velocity in the middle cerebral artery. Cordocentesis confirmed significant fetal anemia. At 34 weeks, because of the suspicion of idiopathic meconium ileus and secondary anemia, a Cesarean section was performed after the administration of steroids. During the laparatomy, performed postnatally, a midgut volvulus was diagnosed. The affected portion of the ileum was resected and end-to-end anastomosis performed. An antenatal diagnosis of midgut volvulus should be considered when signs of fetal anemia, including an increased value of peak systolic velocity in the middle cerebral artery, are present with polyhydramnios, fetal ascites, dilated bowel loops on antenatal ultrasound. An assessment of the fetal hemodynamic status should be a part of the ultrasound assessment for patients with nonspecific fetal bowel pathologies, including congenital volvulus.
authors.affiliation: Division of Reproduction, Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Oncology, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland.
authors.forename: Jakub
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kornacki
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Czarnecka
authors.forename: Michał
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Błaszczyński
authors.forename: Jana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Skrzypczak
authors.forename: Janusz
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gadzinowski
authors.forename: Andrzej
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jankowski
authors.forename: Smeeta
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sardesai
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000653:Amniotic Fluid; D000740:Anemia / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D001201:Ascites / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D006876:Hydrothorax / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D045822:Intestinal Volvulus / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D006831:Polyhydramnios / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011247:Pregnancy; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal