Spontaneous Acute Mesenteroaxial Gastric Volvulus Diagnosed by Computed Tomography Scan in a Young Man.
BACKGROUND
Acute gastric volvulus is a surgical emergency that requires early recognition and treatment. Acute idiopathic mesenteroaxial gastric volvulus is a rare sub-type and there are few cases reported in children and there are even fewer reports in adults.


METHODS
We report a rare case of a 23-year-old man who presented with a 1-day history of vomiting, epigastric pain, distention, and constipation. The diagnosis for mesenteroaxial type gastric volvulus was confirmed by abdominal radiography and computed tomography. The patient was successfully treated by laparotomy with resection of the ischemic stomach wall and anastomosis. Acute spontaneous mesenteroaxial gastric volvulus is rare in adults and early diagnosis is challenging due to non-specific symptoms. A missed or delayed diagnosis may result in serious complications due to gastric obstruction.


CONCLUSIONS
A patient presenting with severe epigastric pain and clinical evidence of gastric outlet obstruction should be considered as a surgical emergency to rule out gastric volvulus. High index of suspicion, early diagnosis and prompt surgical management are important for favorable outcome in patients with acute spontaneous gastric volvulus.
Department of Surgery, Hamad General Hospital, Doha, Qatar.
Gaby
G
Jabbour
Department of Surgery, Hamad General Hospital, Doha, Qatar.
Ibrahim
I
Afifi
Department of Surgery, Hamad General Hospital, Doha, Qatar.
Mohamed
M
Ellabib
Department of Clinical Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, Doha, Qatar.
Ayman
A
El-Menyar
Department of Surgery, Hamad General Hospital, Doha, Qatar.
Hassan
H
Al-Thani
D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013277:Stomach Volvulus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D055815:Young Adult