A Case of Redundant Sigmoid Colon and Sigmoid Volvulus

TL;DR

This paper presents a case of a 38-year-old male with sigmoid volvulus, diagnosed via CT scan and treated with emergency surgery.

Contribution

The paper contributes a clinical case report with a clear diagnostic and treatment pathway for sigmoid volvulus.

Findings

Computed tomography confirmed the diagnosis of sigmoid volvulus with the classic inverted U or coffee bean sign.

Emergency laparotomy and sigmoidectomy were performed successfully without postoperative complications.

Abstract

The torsion of a dilated sigmoid colon around its own mesenteric axis is the cause of sigmoid volvulus, which frequently results in constipation and intestinal obstruction. The clinical presentation of sigmoid volvulus can be observed as nausea, constipation, abdominal distension, and abdominal pain. It is also reported to be insidious. Additionally, it causes blood obstruction, resulting in necrosis, bowel ischemia, and even intestinal perforation if not addressed on time. Physical symptoms might vary depending on the course of the disease but are usually observed as the classical trio of abdominal distension, abdominal pain, and constipation. Computed tomography imaging presents the sign of an inverted U, or classic coffee bean, aiding in the diagnosis of the sigmoid volvulus. A 38-year-old male was admitted to the emergency department of our tertiary care center with significant complaints of obstipation and abdominal pain. The medical history and physical examination revealed peritoneal symptoms, which warranted a prompt radiological imaging diagnosis. The patient was subjected to computed tomography, which was suggestive of sigmoid volvulus. The patient underwent an emergency laparotomy and sigmoidectomy, which were uneventful with no postoperative complications.

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