Chronic intestinal obstruction mimicking malrotation in children
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Pediatric Radiology
|January 1, 1985
Insights
Low position of the duodenojejunal junction (DJ-J) in children with bowel obstruction may mimic malrotation. Chronic intestinal distention, not malrotation, can cause this DJ-J displacement.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Gastrointestinal Radiology
- Surgical Anatomy
Background:
- Malrotation is a common cause of acute bowel obstruction in children.
- Duodenojejunal junction (DJ-J) position on upper gastrointestinal (UGI) examination is a key indicator for diagnosing malrotation.
- Inferior displacement of the DJ-J can suggest malrotation.
Abstract:
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.