Duplication of the proximal colon mimicking volvulus: a case report

The case of a 56 year old female with intermittent pain, weight loss, anaemia, and a palpable tympanic abdominal mass is reported. Barium enema showed a very redundant loop of proximal colon, which was thought to have undergone recurrent volvulus. At colonoscopy, the findings seemed normal, but a much shorter length of colon was intubated to the caecum than expected from the barium findings. The duplicated colon was discovered only intra-operatively. This unusual diagnosis should be considered when a barium enema shows a long redundant colon which is not confirmed on colonoscopy.