Gastric Volvulus: A Multidisciplinary Approach and Conservative Treatment

Endoscopic Management of Gastric Volvulus in an Elderly Patient With Multiple Comorbidities: A Case Report

Gastric volvulus is a rare condition whose incidence remains largely unknown. Unless actively considered by healthcare providers, the diagnosis of gastric volvulus, which can lead to significant morbidity and mortality, may be overlooked. This condition can manifest in either acute or chronic forms, presenting with diverse symptoms. Notably, the presence of a hiatal hernia alongside persistent vomiting despite initial antiemetic therapy should raise suspicion for gastric volvulus, even if the patient appears clinically stable. Acute gastric volvulus is usually managed surgically. Here, we describe the case of an elderly male who was diagnosed with acute gastric volvulus and was treated conservatively with endoscopy.

Volvulus Irritating the Myocardium: A Case Report

Gastric volvulus is a rare condition that may present with various symptoms and may occur as an acute or chronic condition. Signs and symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and chest pain. It is imperative to recognize acute gastric volvulus in a timely fashion, since a delay in diagnosis may result in foregut obstruction and increased risk of strangulation, if not recognized and treated promptly. Additionally, secondary complications that are equally life-threatening, such as cardiac arrhythmias, can occur. For this very reason, it is important to highlight gastric volvulus as a possibility when developing a differential diagnosis in patients complaining of abdominal pain. This case report describes a 73-year-old female with no past cardiac risk factors, who presented to the emergency department (ED) with symptoms of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), intermittent diarrhea, and nausea per emergency medical services (EMS). Upon EMS arrival at the patient's home, her heart rate was 210 beats per minute (bpm). Despite her condition appearing to result from a cardiac condition, imaging studies found a large hiatal hernia through which the stomach had displaced. The patient's stomach had distended, forming a volvulus and placing pressure on thoracic organs. This case highlights a rare but potentially life-threatening cardiac arrhythmia associated with gastric volvulus.

An Unusual Case of an Acute Mesenteroaxial Gastric Volvulus Secondary to a Hiatal Hernia

Gastric volvulus is characterized by the abnormal twisting of the stomach along its axis. It is a rare condition that can develop secondary to an underlying gastrointestinal anatomic defect such as a hiatal hernia. Gastric volvulus may present acutely with symptoms of gastric outlet obstruction and can lead to potentially fatal complications, if not treated in a timely manner. We present the case of a 74-year-old woman who presented with an acute mesenteroaxial gastric volvulus with gastric outlet obstruction that developed secondary to a large hiatal hernia.

The Unusual Suspect: An Acute Gastric Dilation With Volvulus in a Scleroderma Patient

Systemic scleroderma (SSc) is a chronic autoimmune disorder that can affect various organ systems. About 90% of patients with SSc have gastrointestinal (GI) manifestations, with esophageal dysmotility being the most frequently reported. While esophageal involvement is the most common, other segments of the upper GI tract can be affected as well, such as the stomach or small bowel. Some of the examples of gastric involvement include gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) and gastroparesis. Small bowel involvement can present with reduced contractility, pseudo-obstruction, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), and atrophy. Although many of these manifestations bear little clinical urgency, acute gastric dilation or pseudo-obstruction constitute a medical emergency and require prompt intervention. We are presenting a case of acute gastric dilation with gastric volvulus in the setting of SSc, which is not well reported in the medical literature. We hope to increase providers' awareness of this rare manifestation of SSc to facilitate prompt diagnosis and intervention. Furthermore, we hope to prompt more research to be done to better understand its pathophysiology and determine whether this manifestation of SSc is preventable.