Spontaneous transverse colon volvulus in a patient with Duchenne muscular dystrophy: An unreported complication

A 22-year-old male patient having Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and chronic constipation referred to the emergency department of our hospital for severe abdominal pain and signs of bowel obstruction. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the abdomen demonstrated mechanical ileus due to a volvulus of the transverse colon. Torsion of the transverse mesocolon and multiple ischemic areas with focal intestinal wall perforations were confirmed during surgical exploration and a subtotal colectomy was performed. DMD is frequently associated to gastrointestinal motility disorders, including chronic constipation, and life-threatening conditions like intestinal pseudo-obstruction and sigmoid volvulus. To date to our knowledge, transverse colon volvulus represents an unreported condition among patients with DMD.