Serum sodium levels in sigmoid volvulus.

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Internal Medicine
• Surgical Pathology

Background:

• Sigmoid volvulus (SV) is a rare cause of large bowel obstruction.
• Electrolyte imbalances, specifically serum sodium levels, are common in bowel obstruction.
• The relationship between serum sodium and SV requires further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate and compare serum sodium concentrations in patients diagnosed with sigmoid volvulus (SV).
• To evaluate the prevalence of hyponatremia and hypernatremia in SV patients.
• To compare these findings with a control group of patients with obstructive rectosigmoid cancer (ORC).

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of medical records for 89 patients with SV.
• Comparison with 40 patients diagnosed with obstructive rectosigmoid cancer (ORC).
• Analysis of serum sodium concentrations, including hyponatremic and hypernatremic cases.

Main Results:

• Mean serum sodium levels were comparable between SV (138.4±4.5 mEq/L) and ORC (137.7±3.2 mEq/L) groups (P>0.05).
• No statistically significant difference in the incidence of hyponatremia or hypernatremia between the two groups.
• 13 SV patients and 4 ORC patients were hyponatremic; 1 SV patient and 0 ORC patients were hypernatremic.

Conclusions:

• The study found no evidence of a cause-effect relationship between serum sodium concentrations and sigmoid volvulus.
• Serum sodium levels do not appear to be a distinguishing factor for sigmoid volvulus compared to other forms of large bowel obstruction.