Open AccessIntrauterine midgut volvulus without malrotation: Diagnosis from the ‘coffee bean sign’
Author(s) -
Jun Seok Park,
Seong Jae,
Beom Gyu Kim,
Yong Seok Kim,
Yun-Sang Choi,
In Taik Chang,
Gwang Jun Kim,
Woo Seok Lee,
Gi Hyeon Kim
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
world journal of gastroenterology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.427
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 2219-2840
pISSN - 1007-9327
DOI - 10.3748/wjg.14.1456
Subject(s) - medicine , volvulus , abdomen , meconium , gestation , surgery , intestinal malrotation , laparotomy , pregnancy , obstetrics , fetus , biology , genetics
Fetal midgut volvulus is quite rare, and most cases are associated with abnormalities of intestinal rotation or fixation. We report a case of midgut volvulus without malrotation, associated with a meconium pellet, during the gestation period. This 2.79 kg, 33-wk infant was born via a spontaneous vaginal delivery caused by preterm labor. Prenatal ultrasound showed dilated bowel loops with the appearance of a 'coffee bean sign'. This patient had an unusual presentation with a distended abdomen showing skin discoloration. An emergency laparotomy revealed a midgut volvulus and a twisted small bowel, caused by complicated meconium ileus. Such nonspecific prenatal radiological signs and a low index of suspicion of a volvulus during gestation might delay appropriate surgical management and result in ischemic necrosis of the bowel. Preterm labor, specific prenatal sonographic findings (for example, the coffee bean sign) and bluish discoloration of the abdominal wall could suggest intrauterine midgut volvulus requiring prompt surgical intervention.