Abstract
Acute gastric volvulus (GV) is a rare pediatric emergency that requires prompt surgical detorsion and gastropexy. In order to clarify the clinical and radiologic features of GV, we reviewed eight cases seen over the past 7 years. The symptoms could be classified as acute, chronic, or intermittent, and included a spectrum of gastrointestinal (GI), respiratory, and nonspecific symptoms. When GV was acute or intermittent, the diagnosis was made on the characteristic appearance of plain abdominal radiographs, whereas in chronic GV an upper GI series was most useful. Endoscopy confirmed or suggested the diagnosis in four cases of intermittent or chronic volvulus. Anterior gastropexy was performed in five patients, gastrostomy in two, and gastroduodenostomy in one. None have recurred over 1 to 7 years of follow-up. Intermittent GI or respiratory symptoms of GV may make the diagnosis difficult. Plain abdominal radiographs, upper GI series, and endoscopy aid the diagnosis. Prompt gastric decompression and anterior gastropexy is the recommended treatment.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Alawadhi A, Chou S, Soucy P (1991) Gastric volvulus — a late complication of gastrostomy. Can J Surg 34: 4855–4856
Berti A (1866) Singolare attortigliamento dell'esofago col duodeno sequito da rapide morte. Gass Med Ital Prov Ver 9: 139
Cameron AE, Howard ER (1987) Gastric volvulus in childhood. J Pediatr Surg 22: 944–947
Cameron BH, Blair GK (1993) Laparoscopic-guided gastropexy for intermittent gastric volvulus. J Pediatr Surg 28 (12): 1628–1629
Campbell JB (1979) Neonatal gastric volvulus. AJR Am J Roentgenol 132: 723–725
Carter R, Brewer LA, Hinshaw DB (1980) Acute gastric volvulus — a study of 25 cases. Am J Surg 140: 99–106
Cole BC, Dickenson SJ (1971) Acute volvulus of the stomach in infants and children. Surgery 70: 707–717
Dalgaad JR (1952) Volvulus of the stomach. Acta Chir Scand 103: 131–153
DeGiacomo C, Maggiore G, Fiori P, et al (1989) Chronic gastric torsion in infancy: a revisited diagnosis. Australas Radiol 33: 252–254
Eckhauser ML, Ferron JP (1985) The use of dual percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (DPEG) in the management of chronic intermittent gastric volvulus. Gastrointest Endosc 31: 340–342
Fung KP, Rubin S, Scott RB (1990) Gastric volvulus complicating Nissen fundoplication. J Pediatr Surg 25: 1242–1243
Honna T, Kamii Y, Tsuchida Y (1990) Idiopathic gastric volvulus in infancy and childhood. J Pediatr Surg 25: 707–710
Idowu J, Aitken DR, Georgeson KE (1980) Gastric volvulus in the newborn. Arch Surg 115: 1046–1049
Koger KE, Stone JM (1993) Laparoscopic reduction of acute gastric volvulus. Am Surg 59: 325–328
McCarten KM, Teele RL (1978) Preduodenal portal vein: venography, ultrasonography, and review of the literature. Ann Radiol 21: 155–160
Miller DL, Pasquale MD, Seneca RP, Hodin E (1991) Gastric volvulus in the pediatric population. Arch Surg 126: 1146–1149
Mizrahi S, Vinograd I, Schiller M (1988) Neonatal gastric volvulus secondary to rectal atresia. Clin Paediatr 27: 302–304
Paret G, Yahav J, Cohen O, Nass DS, Barzilay Z (1990) Varicella and perforation of the stomach. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 10: 121–125
Senocek ME, Buyukpamukcu N, Hicsonmez A (1990) Chronic gastric volvulus in children — a ten year experience. Z Kinderchir 45: 159–163
Stringer DA (1989) The stomach. In: Stringer DA (ed) Pediatric gastrointestinal imaging, 1st edn. BC Decker, Philadelphia, pp 193–233
Tanigawa N, Takahashi K, Shimomatsuya T, Muraoka R, Konishi Y, Kuriyama S, Ohama K (1989) Etiological consideration of neonatal gastric rupture: assumption of possible association with gastric volvulus and gastroesophageal reflux. Nippon Geka Hokan 58: 527–534
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Cameron, B.H., Vajarvandi, V., Blair, G.K. et al. The intermittent and variable features of gastric volvulus in childhood. Pediatr Surg Int 10, 26–29 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00174437
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00174437