Twist in the Bowel: A Multimodality Radiological Imaging Spectrum

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Radiology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Volvulus of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is a frequent cause of recurrent abdominal pain.
• Symptoms often include non-specific abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.
• Early diagnosis is crucial to prevent life-threatening complications such as bowel ischemia or perforation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the clinical features of gastrointestinal volvulus.
• To illustrate the classical imaging findings for various types of GI volvulus.
• To enhance clinician and radiologist familiarity with diagnosing GI volvulus.

Main Methods:

• Review of clinical presentations of gastrointestinal volvulus.
• Analysis of imaging characteristics across different modalities (radiographs, fluoroscopy, CT).
• Correlation of imaging findings with specific types and locations of GI volvulus.

Main Results:

• Gastrointestinal volvulus presents with non-specific abdominal symptoms.
• Imaging modalities like radiographs, fluoroscopy, and CT are key for diagnosis.
• Familiarity with imaging appearances aids in timely diagnosis and management.

Conclusions:

• High clinical suspicion is essential for diagnosing gastrointestinal volvulus.
• Accurate interpretation of imaging is critical for identifying volvulus and preventing complications.
• This article provides a comprehensive overview of GI volvulus imaging for improved patient outcomes.