S2217 A Rare Case of Synchronous Double Volvulus of the Sigmoid Colon and Cecum

Abstract

Introduction: Colonic volvulus is one of the leading causes of large bowel obstruction. Synchronous cecal and sigmoid volvulus is a rare presentation. Cecal volvulus and sigmoid volvulus have traditionally been thought of as separate clinical presentations with distinct clinical features, radiological findings, and treatment modalities. We focus on the classical radiological findings, uncharacteristic presentations, and definitive treatment to prevent recurrence, morbidity, and mortality. Case Description/Methods: A 67-year-old female with a past medical history of severe chronic constipation secondary to stercoral colitis presents to the emergency department complaining of abdominal pain for 5 days. Pain is diffuse, and associated with nausea and vomiting. The last colonoscopy performed 4 years ago, was normal. The patient was in immense pain and was not able to provide further information. On presentation, the patient was afebrile, BP 127/52, HR 73, RR 16 breaths/min. The abdomen was distended, and peritoneal sounds were auscultated in all quadrants but were worse in lower quadrants bilaterally. X-ray of the abdomen showed pneumoperitoneum and dilated bowel related to stercoral colitis. Subsequent CT abdomen showed small volume ascites, hollow perforated viscus, markedly distended cecum with peri-cecal inflammatory changes, and significant wall thickening with inflammation in the sigmoid colon secondary to concurrent cecal and sigmoid volvulus. The patient immediately underwent exploratory laparotomy, ileocecectomy with primary anastomosis, sigmoidectomy with primary anastomosis, and abdominal washout (Figure). Discussion: When evaluating acute abdomen, we propose consideration of synchronous large bowel volvulus is a rare and easily missed etiology of large bowel obstruction due to challenging radiological presentation. Even with detailed cross-sectional imaging like CT scan, it is possible to miss coexisting cecal volvulus due to massively enlarged sigmoid volvulus causing mass effect. The preferred treatment is total or subtotal colectomy with or without anastomosis on a case-to-case basis. This approach provides the advantage of avoiding the risk of recurrence and histopathological analysis to rule out underlying malignancy. Commonly, only one type of large bowel volvulus is found radiologically, it is advisable to pay attention to the possibility of coexisting cecal volvulus and a definitive diagnosis being made intraoperatively.Figure 1.: A. Chest X-ray showing gas under diaphragm; B. Volvulous with dilated caecum and Sigmoid colon on Abdominal X-ray; C. Scout film of the CT scan abdomen; D. Twisted Caecum with dilated sigmoid colon on axial film.