A rare case of adult intestinal malrotation: A case report

Intestinal malrotation is a congenital disorder resulting from the failure of the normal embryologic fetal sequence of bowel rotation and fixation. Adult midgut malrotation is extremely uncommon, with incidence estimates ranging from 0.0001 % to 0.19 %. In adults, there is a slight female predominance. Mid gut volvulus leads to obstruction and warrants surgical intervention. This case is significant because there are few case reports around the world.

An 18-year-old Ethiopian man presented with cramping abdominal pain that worsened over a one-month period. He had been experiencing pain since early childhood, which worsened a year before his presentation. CT scan of the abdomen was consistent with malrotation and was treated surgically.

Diagnosing intestinal malrotation in adults is difficult due to the variety and nonspecificity of the symptoms. Delays in diagnosis may lead to acute complications and poorer operative outcomes.

This case report will raise awareness among physicians about the possibility of this rare condition affecting adults. As a result, when a patient presents with chronic gastrointestinal symptoms, they have a high index of suspicion and inform them that an abdominal CT should be performed in these cases, and surgery is the primary treatment option.