An Unusual Case of Small Bowel Volvulus

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Surgical Pathology

Background:

• Small bowel volvulus (SBV) is a rare but life-threatening surgical emergency.
• It involves abnormal twisting of small bowel loops around their mesentery, leading to vascular compromise.

Observation:

• This report details a unique case of SBV and gangrene in an adult.
• The condition was caused by an ovarian cyst herniating through a mesenteric defect, inducing a closed-loop obstruction.

Findings:

• The ovarian cyst acted as a pivot point for the small bowel volvulus.
• This resulted in acute intestinal obstruction, venous engorgement, and subsequent gangrene.

Implications:

• Early diagnosis and surgical intervention are critical for improving outcomes in SBV.
• This case underscores rare etiologies of SBV and the importance of considering gynecological pathology.