Volvulus as a complication of chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction syndrome

Chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction syndrome (CIPS) is a severe motility disorder of the gastrointestinal tract that presents with continuous or recurrent symptoms and signs of intestinal obstruction without evidence of a structural lesion occluding the intestinal lumen. Mechanical obstruction might occur in these patients as well but is typically difficult to distinguish from an exacerbation of CIPS. We report two pediatric cases in which mechanical obstruction by volvulus mimicked an exacerbation of CIPS, requiring surgical intervention.

Awareness of the possibility of true mechanical obstruction in CIPS patients during an exacerbation episode is needed, as this is a severe condition and usually requires surgical intervention.