Intestinal malrotation
Intestinal malrotation is a congenital anomaly of rotation of the midgut. It occurs during the first trimester as the fetal gut undergoes a complex series of growth and development. Malrotation can lead to a dangerous complication called volvulus. Malrotation can refer to a spectrum of abnormal intestinal positioning, often including:
The small intestine found predominantly on the right side of the abdomen
The cecum displaced from its usual position in the right lower quadrant into the epigastrium or right hypochondrium
An absent or displaced ligament of Treitz
Fibrous peritoneal bands called bands of Ladd running across the vertical portion of the duodenum
An unusually narrow, stalk-like mesenteryThe position of the intestines, narrow mesentery and Ladds bands can contribute to several severe gastrointestinal conditions. The narrow mesentery predisposes some cases of malrotation to midgut volvulus, a twisting of the entire small bowel that can obstruct the mesenteric blood vessels leading to intestinal ischemia, necrosis, and death if not promptly treated. The fibrous Ladds bands can constrict the duodenum, leading to intestinal obstruction.

Signs and symptoms
Signs and symptoms of malrotation vary depending on if the patient is suffering from an acute volvulus or experiencing chronic symptoms.
If the patient, most often an infant, presents acutely with midgut volvulus, it is usually manifested by bilious vomiting, crampy abdominal pain, abdominal distention, and in late cases, the passage of blood and mucus in their stools.
Patients with chronic, uncorrected or undiagnosed malrotation can have recurrent abdominal pain and vomiting.
Malrotation may be asymptomatic.

Complications
Intestinal malrotation can lead to a number of disease manifestations and complications such as:
Acute midgut volvulus
Chronic midgut volvulus
Acute duodenal obstruction
Chronic duodenal obstruction
Short bowel syndrome, in cases of volvulus with intestinal necrosis
Death, in cases of volvulus with pan-necrosis of the bowel, severe septic shock or hypovolemic shock
Malabsorption
Chronic motility issues
Internal herniation
Superior mesenteric artery syndrome

Causes
The exact cause of intestinal malrotation is unknown. It is not definitively associated with a particular gene, but there is some evidence of recurrence in families.

Diagnosis
Malrotation is most often diagnosed during infancy, however, some cases are not discovered until later in childhood or even adulthood.With acutely ill patients, consider emergency surgery laparotomy if there is a high index of suspicion.In cases of volvulus, plain radiography may demonstrate signs of duodenal obstruction with dilatation of the proximal duodenum and stomach but it is often non-specific. Ultrasonography may be useful in some cases of volvulus, depicting a "whirlpool sign" where the superior mesenteric artery and superior mesenteric vein have twisted.Upper gastrointestinal series is the modality of choice for the evaluation of malrotation, as it will often show an abnormal position of the duodenum and duodeno-jejunal flexure (ligament of Treitz). In cases of malrotation complicated with volvulus, upper GI demonstrates a corkscrew appearance of the distal duodenum and jejunum. In cases of obstructing Ladds bands, upper GI may reveal a duodenal obstruction. Although upper GI series is regarded as the most reliable diagnostic test for intestinal malrotation, false negatives may occur in 5% of cases. False negatives are most frequently attributed to radiographer error, uncooperative pediatric patients, or variations in intestinal positioning. In equivocal cases physicians may wish to repeat the upper GI or consider additional diagnostic modalities. Lower gastrointestinal series, may be helpful in some patients by showing the caecum at an abnormal location. CT scan and magnetic resonance imaging may also aide in the diagnosis of equivocal cases.The incidence of intestinal malrotation in infants with omphalocoele is low. Therefore, there is little evidence to support the screening for intestinal malrotation in infants with omphalocoele.

Treatment
Prompt surgical treatment is necessary for intestinal malrotation when volvulus has occurred:
First, the patient is resuscitated with fluids to stabilize them for surgery
The volvulus is corrected (counterclockwise rotation of the bowel),
The fibrous Ladds bands over the duodenum are cut,
The mesenteric pedicle is widened by separation of the duodenum and cecum,
The small and large bowels are placed in a position that reduces their risk of future volvulusWith this condition the appendix is often on the wrong side of the body and therefore removed as a precautionary measure during the surgical procedure.
This surgical technique is known as the "Ladds procedure", after Dr. William Ladd. Long-term research on the Ladds procedure indicates that even after surgery, some patients are susceptible to GI issues and may need further surgery.

See also
Situs inversus, a congenital condition in which the major visceral organs are reversed or mirrored from their normal positions.

References


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