Ischemic volvulus of the transverse colon caused by intestinal malrotation: A case report

INTRODUCTION: Congenital Intestinal malrotation is a complex disorder caused by incomplete or abnormal rotation of the intestine during fetal development. Volvulus of the transverse colon secondary to intestinal malrotation is a rare cause of acute abdomen in adults. It has a high risk of mortality, hence the need for an urgent diagnosis and surgical intervention. CASE REPORT: We report an unusual case of volvulus of the transverse colon caused by intestinal malrotation. A 21-year-old women presented abdominal pain with nausea and vomiting. On clinical examination, the abdomen was tympanic to percussion with peritoneal sensitivity. The abdominal X-ray revealed a massive obstruction of the distended large intestine with a “U-shaped” loop. He underwent an exploratory laparotomy that revealed the diagnosis of transverse colon volvulus with intestinal malrotation. His condition was treated surgically by transverse colectomy with colostomy. The patient died on the second day following a hemodynamic instability. CONCLUSION: Transverse colonic volvulus is a rare entity with a high mortality, so it requires urgent diagnosis and surgical intervention.