title: Prenatal diagnosis and management of an intestinal volvulus with meconium ileus and peritonitis.
abstract: Fetal intestinal volvulus is a rare but serious finding with a high risk of potential life threatening fetal complications. Delay in diagnosis or treatment can increase mortality and morbidity. We report a case of mild fetal bowel dilatation at 30 weeks of gestation and intestinal volvulus presented by the 'whirl-sign', intestinal perforation and meconium peritonitis with fetal ascites and polyhydramnios at 33 weeks of gestation. This case emphasizes the role of examination of the bowel in third trimester ultrasound and the importance of quick decision to delivery and interdisciplinary perinatal management at suspected fetal volvulus with bowel necrosis and intraabdominal bleeding.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Saarland, Kirrbergerstr. 1, 66421, Homburg/Saar, Germany, takacsfz@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Z F
authors.initials: ZF
authors.lastname: Takacs
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Meier
authors.forename: E-F
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Solomayer
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gortner
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Meyberg-Solomayer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002585:Cesarean Section; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D045823:Ileus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D045822:Intestinal Volvulus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D011247:Pregnancy; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal