Volvulus of ileum: A rare case of small bowel obstruction and the effectiveness of abdominal ultrasound imaging for the diagnosis

Abstract

Primary type small bowel volvulus is observed mainly in children and young adults, whereas the secondary type is usually found between the ages of 40 and 90 years and is mainly due to adhesions after previous surgery: tumors and mesenteric lymph nodes can also be responsible for the secondary type. Diagnosis is difficult and the computed tomography scan is the most relevant imaging modality. For this reason we believe that the case presented in which diagnosis was primary made by abdominal ultrasonography and then confirmed first by computed tomography scan and definitively by surgical exploration is worth reporting.