Sigmoid volvulus in a young woman nearly misdiagnosed as fecal impaction.
BACKGROUND
Volvulus of the sigmoid colon is a potentially life-threatening condition rarely seen in younger age groups and is male predominant.


OBJECTIVE
We report a previously healthy young woman with the triad of constipation, progressive abdominal distension, and severe abdominal pain, with plain-film x-ray studies mimicking stool impaction and computed tomography disclosing the typical findings of sigmoid volvulus. The case reminds Emergency Physicians to consider sigmoid volvulus if mechanical obstruction is suspected, even in a young patient.


METHODS
A 33-year-old woman had the triad of symptoms for 3 days. Physical examination did not show peritoneal signs. Digital rectal examination disclosed neither palpable mass nor stool in rectum. Computed tomography revealed "coffee bean" sign and "whirl" sign. Laparoscopy demonstrated redundant sigmoid colon and she was treated with detorsion with colopexy uneventfully.


CONCLUSIONS
Sigmoid volvulus is rarely seen in developed countries. Clinical manifestations vary with disease progression, but it typically presents with a triad of constipation, progressive abdominal distension, and severe abdominal pain. Plain-film x-ray studies can demonstrate a coffee bean or "omega loop" (inverted-U sigmoid) sign in <60% cases, but it was reported as high as 86% in computed tomography. The whirl sign on computed tomography might also be observed. The cause is multifactorial and colonic length is the most important predisposing factor. Flexible colon fiberscopic decompression followed by elective definitive surgery is the treatment choice, but exploratory laparotomy is mandatory if any complicated entity occurs. The mortality rate is still >50% when bowel gangrene develops.
Department of Emergency Medicine, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Chih-Jung
CJ
Chang
Tsung-Hung
TH
Hsieh
Kuang-Chau
KC
Tsai
Chieh-Min
CM
Fan
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005244:Fecal Impaction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D045822:Intestinal Volvulus / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012810:Sigmoid Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed