title: Absolute constipation caused by sigmoid volvulus in a young man.
abstract: We describe a challenging case of sigmoid volvulus where a previously unrecognised anatomical condition, rather than the patient's age, was the main predisposing factor. A man in his thirties presented to the emergency department with a 3-day history of constipation and acute abdominal pain. Initial assessment and studies were inconclusive, but a CT scan revealed torsion of the large bowelSigmoid volvulus is a frequent cause of bowel obstruction that can be missed if appropriate imaging is not available. Clinical presentation and blood analysis can be similar to the findings in acute abdomen caused by other more common causes.
authors.affiliation: Emergency Department, Hospital San Agustín, Avilés, Spain. serponuevo@gmail.com
authors.forename: Sergio Pozo
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Nuevo
authors.forename: María Dolores
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Macías Robles
authors.forename: Ramón
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Delgado Sevillano
authors.forename: Susana Serrano
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Pérez-Gallarza
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003113:Colonoscopy; D003248:Constipation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D045822:Intestinal Volvulus / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D012810:Sigmoid Diseases / Q000150:complications*