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
- Bostancı SA, Öztorun Cİ, Erten EE, Akkaya F, Akbaş İ, Çayhan VS, et al. Clinical management of intestinal malrotation in different age groups. Pediatr Surg Int. 2024;40(1):204. doi:10.1007/s00383-024-05796-9.
- Yang X, Wang W, Wang K, Zhao J, Sun L, Jiang S, et al. Identification and treatment of intestinal malrotation with midgut volvulus in childhood: a multicenter retrospective study. Front Pediatr. 2024;12:1390856. doi:10.3389/fped.2024.1390856.
- Cullis PS, Fouad D, Goldstein AM, Wong KKY, Boonthai A, Lobos P, et al. Major surgical conditions of childhood and their lifelong implications: comprehensive review. BJS Open. 2024;8(3):zrae028. doi:10.1093/bjsopen/zrae028.
- Kedoin C, Muto M, Nagano A, Matsui M, Sugita K, Baba T, et al. Notable clinical differences between neonatal and post-neonatal intestinal malrotation: a multicenter review in Southern Japan. J Pediatr Surg. 2024;59(4):566-70. doi:10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2023.11.020.
- Chung JH, Kim W, Kim SY. Comparison of total midgut volvulus and segmental volvulus in neonates. J Pediatr Surg. 2021;56(8):1375-7. doi:10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2020.08.029.
- Millar AJW, Rode H, Cywes S. Malrotation and volvulus in infancy and childhood. Semin Pediatr Surg. 2003;12(4):229-36. doi:10.1053/j.sempedsurg.2003.08.003.
- Jan IA, Ziaullah M, Obaid LO, Hassan MA, Al Shehhi MA. Planned second look laparotomy in neonatal volvulus: a safe approach for bowel salvage. Pak J Med Sci. 2018;34(2):508-10. doi:10.12669/pjms.342.14473.
- Mitsunaga T, Saito T, Terui K, Nakata M, Ohno S, Mise N, et al. Risk factors for intestinal obstruction after Ladd procedure. Pediatr Rep. 2015;7(2):5795. doi:10.4081/pr.2015.5795.
Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Clinical Sciences (Other)
Journal Section
Case Report
Authors
Ahmet Demez
*
0000-0002-4355-0200
Türkiye
Bayram Burulday
0000-0003-0084-5081
Türkiye
Hasan Avşar
0000-0003-0283-0457
Türkiye
Elvis Kraja
0000-0002-2522-6191
Türkiye
Publication Date
September 22, 2026
Submission Date
June 20, 2026
Acceptance Date
August 23, 2026
Published in Issue
Year 2026 Volume: 16 Number: 3