title: Presentation and endoscopic management of sigmoid volvulus in children.
abstract: The aim of the present study was to evaluate clinical presentation and management of sigmoid volvulus in children, focusing on endoscopic reduction. In this retrospective multicenter study, we reviewed the charts of 13 patients with sigmoid volvulus. We recorded clinical symptoms, diagnostic methods, endoscopic or surgical therapy, and outcome. The children (seven girls, six boys) had a median age of 12.8 years (range, 15 months to 17 years) at initial presentation. Eight patients had associated diseases (e.g., chronic constipation, mental retardation, or myopathy). The initial symptoms were abdominal pain (13/13), abdominal distension (11/13), and vomiting (7/13), which were associated with abdominal tenderness in all patients. Abdominal X-ray showed dilated sigmoid loops and air-fluid levels in all patients. Endoscopic reduction by exsufflation was successful without any complications in 12 patients, whereas the youngest patient underwent a first-line sigmoidectomy. Recurrence occurred in 7/12 patients after endoscopic exsufflation. Finally, 11 patients underwent a sigmoidectomy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although rare in children, sigmoid volvulus should be advocated when abdominal pain is associated with dilated sigmoid loops. Sigmoidoscopic exsufflation can be considered as the first-line management in the absence of perforation. However, sigmoidectomy is often required for prevention of recurrence.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  • Sigmoid volvulus is uncommon in childhood. • Diagnosis is often missed or delayed. What is New: • This is the first pediatric series showing that endoscopic exsufflation is an efficient and safe treatment option. • Elective sigmoid resection with primary anastomosis is often required to prevent recurrence.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, CHC Liège Clinique de L'Espérance, Rue Saint-Nicolas 447-449, 4420, Liège, Belgium, stephanie.colinet@chc.be.
authors.forename: Stéphanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Colinet
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rebeuh
authors.forename: Frederic
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gottrand
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kalach
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Paquot
authors.forename: Djamal
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Djeddi
authors.forename: Gaelle
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Le Henaff
authors.forename: Laurent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rebouissoux
authors.forename: Virginie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Robert
authors.forename: Laurent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Michaud
mesh_terms: D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D012809:Colon, Sigmoid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D045822:Intestinal Volvulus / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D012008:Recurrence; D012086:Reoperation; D012810:Sigmoid Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D014839:Vomiting / Q000209:etiology