[Radiology in the diagnosis of volvulus caused by mesenteric rotation anomaly]

Thirty-eight children were operated on between 1974 and 1979 at the hôpital Trousseau for a volvulus of the small intestine due to an abnormal mesenteric rotation. These children may be classified into 3 groups: (1) peracute volvulus, most often neonatal, with intestinal necrosis, generally lethal; (2) acute volvulus, also neonatal, with a favorable outcome after treatment; (3) chronic volvulus, which may occur at any age and may be symptomatic or not. They carry a risk of acute complication, with possible intestinal necrosis. Radiology plays a part in the diagnosis of such anomalies of rotation complicated with volvulus. Upper gastrointestinal tract opacification with barium sulfate, showing the abnormal position of the duodenojejunal flexure and a corkscrew appearance allows surgical decision, as in all cases, treatment is surgical. It consists of derotation and setting in complete common mesentery position.