Subtotal colonic volvulus, a rare cause of intestinal obstruction in an infant with suspected trisomy 18: A case report

Florent Tshibwid A Zeng [1, 2, *], Seynabou Niang [1], Eben-Ezer Same [1], Abdourahmane Sall [1], Gabriel Ngom [3]

1 Department of Pediatric Surgery, El Hadji Ibrahima Niass Regional Hospital, Kaolack, Senegal

2 Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo 

3 Department of Pediatric Surgery, Albert Royer National Children’s Hospital Center, Université Cheikh Anta Diop, Dakar, Senegal 

Abstract

In infants, colonic volvulus is a rare cause of intestinal obstruction. We report a case of a 7-month girl who was admitted for obstructive symptoms for 24 hours. Undernutrition, fever, abdominal distension, and dark-bloody stool traces, additionally to some features of trisomy 18 were found on clinical examination. The abdominal plain X-ray noted colonic occlusion and an emergency laparotomy performed. We found a near-total, 360° volvulus from the caecum to the proximal two thirds of the descending colon, with gangrenous changes. Resection and ileo-colic anastomosis were performed with a smooth postoperative course until development of thrush which was treated. During hospitalization for malnutrition treatment (postoperative day 15), the patient died from an unknown cause