A rare cause of acute abdominal pain in a child: Giant sigmoid volvulus

Abstract

Sigmoid volvulus (SV) is a rare, but also life-threatening disease if not diagnosed earlier. SV appears as torsion of the sigmoid colon around its mesentery and causes necrosis, perforation, peritonitis and sepsis when obstruction and ischemia progresses in the colon segment. The important issue in SV to keep in mind is consideration of this rare condition during detailed examination of the history, physical examination and laboratory findings in the patient who refers because of some complaints such as abdominal pain, constipation and distention. This would allow planning the advanced radiological examinations and adequate treatment protocols to confirm the diagnosis.