Stomach volvulus
Twisting of the stomach that may result in gastric ischemia and gastric outlet obstruction. It is often associated with diaphragmatic hernia.
Causes[edit | edit source]
Obstruction of the bowel may be due to:
- A mechanical cause, which means something is in the way
- Ileus
- Paralytic ileus, also called pseudo-obstruction
- Bacteria or viruses that cause intestinal infections (gastroenteritis)
- Chemical, electrolyte, or mineral imbalances (such as decreased potassium level)
- Abdominal surgery
- Decreased blood supply to the intestines
- Infections inside the abdomen, such as appendicitis
- Kidney or lung disease
- Use of certain medicines, especially narcotics
- Mechanical causes of intestinal obstruction may include:
- Adhesions or scar tissue that forms after surgery
- Foreign bodies (objects that are swallowed and block the intestines)
- Gallstones (rare)
- Hernias
- Impacted stool
- Intussusception (telescoping of one segment of bowel into another)
- Tumors blocking the intestines
- Volvulus (twisted intestine)
Symptoms[edit | edit source]
- Symptoms may include:
- Abdominal swelling (distention)
- Abdominal fullness, gas
- Abdominal pain and cramping
- Breath odor
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Inability to pass gas
- Vomiting
Exams and Tests[edit | edit source]
Tests that show obstruction include:
- Abdominal CT scan
- Abdominal x-ray
- Barium enema
- Upper GI and small bowel series
Treatment[edit | edit source]
- Treatment involves placing a tube through the nose into the stomach or intestine.
- Volvulus of the large bowel may be treated by passing a tube into the rectum.
- Surgery may be needed to relieve the obstruction if the tube does not relieve the symptoms.
Outlook (Prognosis)[edit | edit source]
The outcome depends on the cause of the blockage. Most of the time, the cause is successfully treated.
Possible Complications[edit | edit source]
- Complications may include or may lead to:
- Electrolyte (blood chemical and mineral) imbalances
- Dehydration
- Hole (perforation) in the intestine
- Infection
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
Health science - Medicine - Gastroenterology - edit |
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Diseases of the esophagus - stomach |
Halitosis | Nausea | Vomiting | GERD | Achalasia | Esophageal cancer | Esophageal varices | Peptic ulcer | Abdominal pain | Stomach cancer | Functional dyspepsia | Gastroparesis |
Diseases of the liver - pancreas - gallbladder - biliary tree |
Hepatitis | Cirrhosis | NASH | PBC | PSC | Budd-Chiari | Hepatocellular carcinoma | Acute pancreatitis | Chronic pancreatitis | Pancreatic cancer | Gallstones | Cholecystitis |
Diseases of the small intestine |
Peptic ulcer | Intussusception | Malabsorption (e.g. Coeliac, lactose intolerance, fructose malabsorption, Whipple's) | Lymphoma |
Diseases of the colon |
Diarrhea | Appendicitis | Diverticulitis | Diverticulosis | IBD (Crohn's, Ulcerative colitis) | IBS | Constipation | Colorectal cancer | Hirschsprung's | Pseudomembranous colitis |
Stomach volvulus Resources | ||
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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD