IS Case 22: Mesenteroaxial Gastric Volvulus
Imaging Sciences URMC 2008
Publication Date: 2009-05-18
History
Patient has abdominal pain and dry retching.
Diagnosis
Mesenteroaxial Gastric Volvulus
Discussion
Gastric volvulus is an uncommon acquired twisting of the stomach on itself. It involves twisting of more than 180 degrees, creating a closed loop gastric obstruction. Three types are described: organoaxial, mesenteroaxial, and mixed. The distinction lies in the axis of gastric rotation. Organoaxial volvulus involves twisting of the stomach about an axis running parallel to the long axis of the organ, i.e. the line connecting the cardia and antrum. Mesenteroaxial volvulus involves twisting of the stomach about a line perpendicular to the greater and lesser gastric curvatures, so that the antrum lies superior to the cardia. The mixed form involves elements of both. Organoaxial GV is often associated with a large hiatal hernia. Other predisposing factors include laxity of the gastric mesentery and gastrohepatic, gastrocolic, gastrosplenic, and gastrophrenic ligaments, all of which serve to hold the relatively mobile stomach in position between the fixed points of the distal esophagus and duodenal bulb. Thus GV is often seen in older patients. Organoaxial volvulus is the more common type in adults. Mesenteroaxial volvulus is more common in children and is often associated with a Morgagni diaphragmatic hernia.
Complications include gastric outlet obstruction, strangulation, perforation and hemorrhage. The mortality rate is up to 30%. Gastric volvulus can exist in a chronic, asymptomatic form without obstruction or ischemia. Chronic GV is usually mesenteroaxial. The classic clinical presentation, "Borchardt's triad", involves violent nonproductive retching, epigastric pain, and difficulty passing an NG tube beyond the GE junction.
Treatment goals include early recognition and prevention of recurrence. Laparoscopic detorsion is performed, followed by gastropexy, either laparoscopically or endoscopically, usually with a gastrostomy tube. Gastrectomy may be indicated in the setting of strangulation.
References
- Shivanand G, Seema S, Srivastava DN, Pande GK, Sahni P, Prasad R, Ramachandra N. Gastric volvulus: acute and chronic presentation. Clin Imaging. 2003 Jul-Aug;27(4):265-8. [PMID: 12823923]
- Chiechi MV, Hamrick-Turner J, Abbitt PL. Gastric herniation and volvulus: CT and MR appearance. Gastrointest Radiol. 1992 Spring;17(2):99-101. [PMID: 1551518]
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