Case Report

A Diagnostic Pitfall in Neonatal Bilious Vomiting: Midgut Volvulus Mimicking Duodenal Atresia

Volume: 16 Number: 3 September 22, 2026
TR EN

A Diagnostic Pitfall in Neonatal Bilious Vomiting: Midgut Volvulus Mimicking Duodenal Atresia

Abstract

Intestinal malrotation is estimated to occur in approximately 1 in 500 live births, although symptomatic cases are considerably less common. Midgut volvulus is a potentially devastating complication of malrotation that requires urgent evaluation because it may rapidly progress to intestinal ischemia and bowel loss. However, plain radiographs may be misleading when proximal obstruction produces a double-bubble-like appearance. We report a term female neonate who developed bilious vomiting on the first postnatal day. Initial radiography suggested duodenal atresia. Clinical deterioration with leukocytosis, elevated C-reactive protein, and rising lactate prompted urgent laparotomy at 48 hours of life. Severe midgut volvulus with three complete turns and near-total small-bowel ischemia was identified. Detorsion and planned second-look laparotomy allowed bowel preservation and completion of the Ladd procedure. Persistent postoperative obstruction later revealed a 30-cm post-ischemic fibrotic stricture requiring resection. Approximately 80 cm of small bowel and the colon were preserved. Midgut volvulus should remain in the differential diagnosis of neonatal bilious vomiting, even when radiography suggests duodenal atresia.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Clinical Sciences (Other)

Journal Section

Case Report

Publication Date

September 22, 2026

Submission Date

June 20, 2026

Acceptance Date

August 23, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 16 Number: 3

APA
Demez, A., Burulday, B., Avşar, H., & Kraja, E. (2026). A Diagnostic Pitfall in Neonatal Bilious Vomiting: Midgut Volvulus Mimicking Duodenal Atresia. Value in Health Sciences, 16(3), 609-612. https://doi.org/10.33631/sabd.1975127
AMA
1.Demez A, Burulday B, Avşar H, Kraja E. A Diagnostic Pitfall in Neonatal Bilious Vomiting: Midgut Volvulus Mimicking Duodenal Atresia. VHS. 2026;16(3):609-612. doi:10.33631/sabd.1975127
Chicago
Demez, Ahmet, Bayram Burulday, Hasan Avşar, and Elvis Kraja. 2026. “A Diagnostic Pitfall in Neonatal Bilious Vomiting: Midgut Volvulus Mimicking Duodenal Atresia”. Value in Health Sciences 16 (3): 609-12. https://doi.org/10.33631/sabd.1975127.
EndNote
Demez A, Burulday B, Avşar H, Kraja E (September 1, 2026) A Diagnostic Pitfall in Neonatal Bilious Vomiting: Midgut Volvulus Mimicking Duodenal Atresia. Value in Health Sciences 16 3 609–612.
IEEE
[1]A. Demez, B. Burulday, H. Avşar, and E. Kraja, “A Diagnostic Pitfall in Neonatal Bilious Vomiting: Midgut Volvulus Mimicking Duodenal Atresia”, VHS, vol. 16, no. 3, pp. 609–612, Sept. 2026, doi: 10.33631/sabd.1975127.
ISNAD
Demez, Ahmet - Burulday, Bayram - Avşar, Hasan - Kraja, Elvis. “A Diagnostic Pitfall in Neonatal Bilious Vomiting: Midgut Volvulus Mimicking Duodenal Atresia”. Value in Health Sciences 16/3 (September 1, 2026): 609-612. https://doi.org/10.33631/sabd.1975127.
JAMA
1.Demez A, Burulday B, Avşar H, Kraja E. A Diagnostic Pitfall in Neonatal Bilious Vomiting: Midgut Volvulus Mimicking Duodenal Atresia. VHS. 2026;16:609–612.
MLA
Demez, Ahmet, et al. “A Diagnostic Pitfall in Neonatal Bilious Vomiting: Midgut Volvulus Mimicking Duodenal Atresia”. Value in Health Sciences, vol. 16, no. 3, Sept. 2026, pp. 609-12, doi:10.33631/sabd.1975127.
Vancouver
1.Ahmet Demez, Bayram Burulday, Hasan Avşar, Elvis Kraja. A Diagnostic Pitfall in Neonatal Bilious Vomiting: Midgut Volvulus Mimicking Duodenal Atresia. VHS. 2026 Sep. 1;16(3):609-12. doi:10.33631/sabd.1975127