A Rare Case of Congenital Intestinal Malrotation Presented as an Intestinal Obstruction in an Adult

Abstract

Malrotation of the midgut is generally considered a pediatric pathology. Adults are not usually diagnosed early, which occasionally causes delays in both diagnosis and treatment. Therefore, while dealing with patients of any chronological age with abdominal complaints, a strong index of suspicion is necessary. A midgut developmental defect known as intestinal malrotation occurs when the intestines fail to fix in the peritoneal cavity and rotate normally around the superior mesenteric artery during fetal development. Usually, it’s rare to have malrotation in adults. When they are symptomatic, operational procedures are typically necessary. Even if the patient is asymptomatic, a Ladd's treatment is indicated if real malrotation is detected or discovered accidentally. In adults, intestinal malrotation rarely shows symptoms and is typically accidentally discovered. We present a unique case of a 24-year-old male who had acute abdominal pain, confirming midgut rotation with the presence of characteristic Ladd's bands on a preoperative computed tomography scan. No signs of intestinal volvulus were present. The patient had an exploratory laparotomy. This case emphasizes the rarity of intestinal malrotation and the debates about how to treat it in the adult population. It also highlights how crucial it is to properly monitor patients who present with ill-defined abdominal pain and maintain a high index of suspicion.