Spontaneous transverse colon volvulus

Abstract

We report a case of spontaneous transverse colon volvulus in a young healthy woman. It constitutes an unusual case since it occurred in a young healthy woman with a subacute onset and no aetiological factor has been found. Its diagnosis is still challenging. Prompt recognition with emergency intervention constitutes the key to successful outcome.

Transverse colon volvulus in a patient with sickle cell disease

“…Transverse colon volvulus is extremely uncommon, representing ~3% of all cases of colonic volvulus 4. Risk factors for the development of transverse colon volvulus may be divided into anatomical, mechanical and physiological 3 5. The two anatomical factors are redundancy and non-fixation,2 as in our case.…”

“…Volvulus is a rare cause of colonic obstruction, accounting for 3%–5% of all cases of intestinal obstruction 3. Transverse colon volvulus is extremely uncommon, representing ~3% of all cases of colonic volvulus 4.…”

“…The two anatomical factors are redundancy and non-fixation,2 as in our case. Mechanical causes include previous volvulus, distal colonic obstruction, adhesions, malposition of the colon during previous surgery, mobility of the right colon, inflammatory strictures and carcinoma 3. Physiological factors include large bowel distension secondary to distal impediment to defecation in chronic constipation 2 5.…”

Vólvulo del colon transverso espontáneo: reporte de dos casos

“…El término vólvulo se origina del latín volveré, que significa torsión, y se refiere a la torsión del colon sobre su propio eje (principalmente del sigmoide), que puede desencadenar una obstrucción intestinal con desarrollo de isquemia y necrosis, llevando a perforación, peritonitis, sepsis y hasta la muerte (1,2).…”

“…El vólvulo representa entre el 10%-15% de los casos de obstrucción del colon y entre un 1% y 20% de todas las obstrucción intestinales (1); el 43% al 80% de los casos son del sigmoide, un 15% al 42% del ciego, y tan solo un 2% al 4 % del colon trasverso (2,3).…”