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Whirl sign as CT finding in small-bowel volvulus

  • Gastrointestinal Radiology
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Abstract

In three patients with ileus CT showed a whirl sign in which the bowel and mesenteric folds encircled the superior mesenteric vein in a whirl-like pattern. Two patients were confirmed surgically to have small-bowel volvulus arising from postoperative adhesions. The whirl sign is useful in decision-making about the need for surgery. A CT examination should be performed for patients with ileus of unknown cause.

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Correspondence to: K. Fujimoto

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Fujimoto, K., Nakamura, K., Nishio, H. et al. Whirl sign as CT finding in small-bowel volvulus. Eur. Radiol. 5, 555–557 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00208353

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00208353

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