Question: A 29-year-old generally healthy man visited the emergency department with a sudden onset of severe epigastric cramping pain for hours. Nausea sensation and bilious vomiting occurred a few minutes after intake, including clear liquid intake. His vital signs were relatively stable despite tachycardia (heart rate, 110 beats/min). The physical examination showed epigastric dull tenderness without a sign of peritoneal irritation. His blood test revealed leukocytosis (white blood cell, 11,600/μL) and mild elevated serum lactate level (1.5 mmol/L). The kidneys, ureters, bladder (KUB) X-ray revealed dilated colon and cecum on the left side of the abdomen (Figure A). Subsequent abdominal computed tomography (CT) revealed a whirl sign at the transverse colon (Figure B). What is the possible diagnosis? See the Gastroenterology website (www.gastrojournal.org) for more information on submitting to Gastro Curbside Consult. According to the dilated colon in the KUB X-ray, a large bowel obstruction was highly suspected. The abdominal CT demonstrated small bowel occupying the right side of the peritoneal cavity and the colon on the left, and a transition point at the transverse colon (Figure B, red arrow), with the colon rotation and proximal colon dilatation (Videos 1 and 2). Surgical laparotomy with segmental resection of the bowel is indicated, however, the patient rejected it. Because of no intestinal pneumatosis in CT and the stable vital sign of the patient, we attempted colonoscopic decompression using carbon dioxide (CO2) during the procedure instead. The colonoscope type Olympus CF-H290L/I was chosen because the distal end outer diameter (12.2 mm) was smaller than other CF-HQ290 (13.2 mm). We kept the patient in clear consciousness without anesthesia in the procedure to detect subtle signs of peritoneal irritation or progression of abdominal pain. We initiated the procedure with the patient in the left lateral position, however, we required the patient to change the position to either supine or right lateral position repeatedly during the procedure when a sharp angle of the tunnel was met to avoid iatrogenic injury. The colonoscopy revealed a colon stricture point at 60 cm above the anal verge. We advanced the endoscope near the stricture site, and the strangulated transition point was exposed (Figure C). After carefully passing through with minimal air inflation and endoscopy rotation, the dilated ascending colon was reached. After endoscopic decompression with air suction, the patient’s abdomen flattened and the abdominal tenderness became less. Subsequently, we performed endoscopic colon reduction with clockwise endoscopic rotation with the guidance of the endoscopic view. The patient’s abdominal pain was relieved and the serum lactate level decreased (0.6 mmol/L). The following KUB X-ray after colonoscopy showed improving bowel dilation (Figure D). Further laparoscopy will be scheduled. We suggested the patient intake food without high fiber before the surgery to prevent recurrent volvulus. Colon volvulus is the third most common cause of large bowel obstruction, followed by malignant obstruction and diverticulitis. Although sigmoid colon and cecum volvulus accounted for 95% of colon volvulus, transverse colon volvulus is rare.1Pickett M.L. Mottershaw A.M. Gupta P. Huerta S. Volvulus of the transverse colon in an octogenarian veteran.J Surg Case Rep. 2021 May 10; 2021 (rjab166)Crossref Scopus (0) Google Scholar,2Huerta S. Pickett M.L. Mottershaw A.M. Gupta P. Pham T. Volvulus of the Transverse Colon.Am Surg. 2021 Aug 30; 31348211041564Crossref Scopus (2) Google Scholar The risk factors for transverse colon volvulus are categorized into congenital (malrotation and abnormal fixation), anatomic (nonfixation and bowel redundancy), mechanical (adhesions and distal bowel obstruction from malignancy or strictures), and physiological (constipation, bowel dysmotility, and high-fiber diet)3Sana L. Ali G. Kallel H. et al.Spontaneous transverse colon volvulus.Pan Afr Med J. 2013; 14: 160Crossref PubMed Scopus (9) Google Scholar. Transverse colon volvulus is considered to be a surgical emergency based on an exploratory laparotomy, followed by either colopexy or colectomy.1Pickett M.L. Mottershaw A.M. Gupta P. Huerta S. Volvulus of the transverse colon in an octogenarian veteran.J Surg Case Rep. 2021 May 10; 2021 (rjab166)Crossref Scopus (0) Google Scholar However, detorsion with colopexy had a higher recurrence rate of volvulus than resection with primary anastomosis or resection with colostomy.3Sana L. Ali G. Kallel H. et al.Spontaneous transverse colon volvulus.Pan Afr Med J. 2013; 14: 160Crossref PubMed Scopus (9) Google Scholar Delayed diagnosis and treatment of transverse colon volvulus may result in bowel infarction, peritonitis, and death.3Sana L. Ali G. Kallel H. et al.Spontaneous transverse colon volvulus.Pan Afr Med J. 2013; 14: 160Crossref PubMed Scopus (9) Google Scholar In our case, the young man with congenital intestinal malrotation encountered his first episode of transverse colon volvulus after constipation for 2 days. The physical examination and the abdominal CT had ruled out intestinal pneumatosis and peritonitis, suggesting the very early stage of the transverse colon volvulus. In this situation, our trying colonoscopic decompression relieves the discomfort temporarily. The assistance of fluoroscopy may increase the success rate and safety if available. However, further surgical laparotomy with colon resection should be arranged if the volvulus recurs. eyJraWQiOiI4ZjUxYWNhY2IzYjhiNjNlNzFlYmIzYWFmYTU5NmZmYyIsImFsZyI6IlJTMjU2In0.eyJzdWIiOiJiYTAwNjkxOTgwYTBkZjcyYmFhMjNhNDM0MTlmNjY1MiIsImtpZCI6IjhmNTFhY2FjYjNiOGI2M2U3MWViYjNhYWZhNTk2ZmZjIiwiZXhwIjoxNjgwMTM1MzAzfQ.MK5lRlQ0CZphYjpFOKF4nqVQo1ipOteR_3KSl-OaVG1ItiUMvPezjMeESQ9MEAO-tH4Gz9hRtK5YGd8OUzGmWPUavhiKCY4gfBIH-gwawg434-Gk792-d0Wwde38hG5EiA_cZ7P9Mnv3z-mCPSSmTz0Z13LOnlsqduaoZoBn1CANJG8hjl8kL4wbLHJi_5jQKUGMm-vqKM4r_X4QVgOE2k0k5exg2LYZzNtgMawq7RLRTGz6BKlieoxoQrA5O3wpZ54fc5net78Uofnpzs81tDntpJy2McgDPS1ogKNB5Hu1Qxh_8iAjdhqwjE2w_J7vN_PxQXSu8qFcBgjIiH7mxg Download .mp4 (3.67 MB) Help with .mp4 files Video 1eyJraWQiOiI4ZjUxYWNhY2IzYjhiNjNlNzFlYmIzYWFmYTU5NmZmYyIsImFsZyI6IlJTMjU2In0.eyJzdWIiOiI5ZTQzOTY1YzNmMTg1ZWNmMWUyODg0YzVlNjg3OGQ4OCIsImtpZCI6IjhmNTFhY2FjYjNiOGI2M2U3MWViYjNhYWZhNTk2ZmZjIiwiZXhwIjoxNjgwMTM1MzAzfQ.UjIK4Q45DWzyGslZ4Olg--bgdxT6dTTO6M6h0me7ns-HVkAG6jIg6LRHCRDplly-3NlQFKEIuMSCcl-d98ycM2G7s65j2QN5OBZt6G6LFKsGapl55uVLXPNkC8x5u8L0EDRMPE5xdX0rh0TatzjSatmCwRm79rH-m6aS8OzU8mEYddOQsJzLHBNMz2uw94vTUlxRXmQuKcPEeLdg3F2y1GaOtBudPr3dqFMeFwzZYbNQ4Oj92euQ7oBZ3_8zMeUFPn43BxgU8truHJ4Ku9NlO26-10dnCtdvzBRLcXIblCHIFvPSqpVFJViiPKXD61_sb3OlGaNMtSQpqFskIXgrUg Download .mp4 (2.66 MB) Help with .mp4 files Video 2