What are the symptoms of sigmoid volvulus?

Most often sigmoid volvulus presents with sudden-onset colicky lower abdominal pain associated with gross abdominal distension and a failure to pass either flatus or stool. It may present insidiously with chronic abdominal distension, constipation, vague and usually colicky lower abdominal discomfort and vomiting.

How is sigmoid volvulus diagnosed?

An abdominal x-ray scan may show a large dilated colon or air within the abdomen outside the intestine if there is perforation. A computed tomography scan or a contrast enema through the rectum may also be used to confirm the diagnosis.

What causes a sigmoid volvulus?

Sigmoid volvulus may occur because of sigmoid elongation, resulting in a redundant loop. Most commonly, this is the result of chronic constipation and the progressive dilatation and lengthening of the sigmoid colon and its mesentery.

How do you detect volvulus?

Diagnosis of volvulus will typically require traditional x-rays and imaging, during which time doctors will look for a telltale “coffee bean” shape or “bent inner tube” shape in the bowel. A barium enema may also be performed in order to enhance the imaging of the potential obstruction.

What are symptoms of a twisted bowel?

Symptoms

  • Crampy abdominal pain that comes and goes.
  • Loss of appetite.
  • Constipation.
  • Vomiting.
  • Inability to have a bowel movement or pass gas.
  • Swelling of the abdomen.

What are the risk factors for sigmoid volvulus?

The main predisposing factor for sigmoid volvulus is a long redundant sigmoid colon with an elongated mesentery [7]. Other risk factors include old age, being male, chronic constipation, previous abdominal surgery, and a history of stroke [2, 8,9,10,11].

What are the symptoms of a twisted bowel?

Symptoms of volvulus include the following:

  • abdominal pain and tenderness.
  • vomiting green bile.
  • nausea.
  • distended abdomen.
  • bloody stool.
  • constipation.
  • shock.

What are the symptoms of a twisted stomach?

What are the signs and symptoms of twisted stomach?

  • Abdominal distention (swollen stomach)
  • When tapped the stomach makes a ‘ping’ sound.
  • Non-productive vomiting (appears to be vomiting, but nothing comes up or only produces white froth)
  • Retching.
  • Lethargy.

Can a volvulus resolve itself?

Cases of cecal volvulus can be recurrent (come and go) and resolve spontaneously on their own, but they may also be or become acute and lead to a partial or complete bowel obstruction.

How long can you live with a twisted colon?

Without any fluids (either as sips, ice chips or intravenously) people with a complete bowel obstruction most often survive a week or two. Sometimes it’s only a few days, sometimes as long as three weeks. With fluids, survival time may be extended by a few weeks or even a month or two.