Coecal volvulus: An acute complication of pregnancy

Cecal volvulus in pregnancy: A rare case report

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE

Cecal volvulus is a rare cause of obstruction in pregnancy. It accounts for ∼1.5 % of all intestinal obstructions. The diagnosis is challenging and causes increased morbidity and mortality to the mother and fetus. This case report will highlight the life-threatening nature of this condition and emphasize the critical importance of early diagnosis and intervention.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 30-year-old gravida-3 para-2 patient presented with colicky abdominal pain of 24 h duration. She had associated abdominal distension, vomiting and fever. She had amenorrhea of 05-months. The past medical and surgical histories were negative. Her vital signs were deranged and had tenderness all over the abdomen. Ultrasound showed gaseous abdomen and viable fetus in the uterus. Laparotomy has revealed gangrenous cecal volvulus. A right hemicolectomy and end-to-side ileo-transverse colon anastomosis were performed. She expelled a dead fetus after 12 h. She was discharged in good clinical status.

DISCUSSION

Cecal volvulus involves axial rotation of the ascending colon, cecum, and terminal ileum about associated mesentery. Pregnancy is among the pre-disposing factor for cecal volvulus. The diagnosis is often challenging because of non-specific presentations. Radiologic procedures are helpful in the diagnosis. The primary treatment is surgical intervention.

CONCLUSION

Cecal volvulus is a rare life-threatening cause of obstruction in pregnancy. It is an emergency situation, and early diagnosis and intervention are crucial to decreasing morbidity and mortality. The most effective treatment is surgical resection.

Vólvulo del ciego, una entidad infrecuente como causa de abdomen agudo en embarazadas: Reporte de caso clínico y revisión de la literatura

Introducción. El vólvulo cecal en el embarazo es una patología infrecuente a nivel mundial, con un espectro clínico variado y limitación en estudios diagnósticos, lo que puede resultar en un desenlace ominoso. Caso clínico. Se presenta el caso de una gestante en segundo trimestre del embarazo quien presenta abdomen agudo secundario a vólvulo cecal y sufrimiento fetal. La paciente fue llevada a cesárea de urgencia, donde además se practicó cecectomía y anastomosis íleo transversa, con mortalidad fetal. Discusión. El vólvulo cecal forma parte de los diagnósticos diferenciales en caso de abdomen agudo durante el embarazo. Tiene un pronóstico reservado, en donde pueden presentarse desenlaces maternos y perinatales adversos, con mortalidad maternofetal.

Cecal volvulus caused by a large uterine leiomyoma

INTRODUCTION

Cecal volvulus is a relatively uncommon encountered clinical condition.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

A 48-year-old patient known with a large uterine leiomyoma, presented with progressive abdominal pain since one week. An abdominal computed tomography scan revealed a very large leiomyoma of the uterus, severely distended loops of the small bowel with a caliber change and a suggested 'whirl sign' of the mesenteric vessels. A laparotomy was performed, showing a very large uterus as well as torsion of the mesentery of the cecum with a sharp demarcated area of necrosis of the right hemicolon.

DISCUSSION

Cecal volvulus due to a large uterine mass is a rare encountered clinical entity. The suggested mechanism might be the same mechanism causing cecal volvulus during pregnancy; the enlarged uterus raisingout the mobile cecum out of the pelvis. Obstruction may occur from kinking of the colon at a fixed point.

CONCLUSION

This case demonstrates that uterine leiomyoma can be a cause of a cecal volvulus, leading to severe intestinal strangulation.