Chronic intestinal obstruction mimicking malrotation in children

Three children with acute bowel obstruction were suspected of having malrotation because each had low position of their duodenojejunal junction (dj-j) on upper gastrointestinal examination. At laparotomy, there was no malrotation and other causes were found for the bowel obstruction. All three had chronic intestinal dilatation. We suggest that long-standing intestinal distention may cause inferior displacement of the dj-j, thereby mimicking incomplete rotation of the midgut, and abnormal mesenteric fixation.