Gastric volvulus
Gastric volvulus (pronounced: gas-trik vol-vu-lus) is a rare medical condition that occurs when the stomach twists more than 180 degrees. The term "gastric" is derived from the Greek word "gaster," meaning stomach, and "volvulus" comes from the Latin word "volvere," which means to roll or turn around.
Definition
Gastric volvulus is a condition characterized by the rotation of the stomach by more than 180 degrees, creating a closed-loop obstruction that can lead to ischemia, necrosis, and perforation. This condition can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention.
Types
There are two types of gastric volvulus: organoaxial volvulus and mesenteroaxial volvulus. Organoaxial volvulus is the most common type and occurs when the stomach rotates around its longitudinal axis. Mesenteroaxial volvulus, on the other hand, occurs when the stomach rotates around its horizontal axis.
Symptoms
The classic triad of symptoms for gastric volvulus includes severe epigastric pain, retching without vomiting, and difficulty passing a nasogastric tube. However, these symptoms are not always present, and the condition may also present with chest pain, abdominal distension, and dysphagia.
Causes
Gastric volvulus can be caused by a variety of factors, including congenital malformations, hiatal hernia, and adhesions from previous surgeries. It can also occur spontaneously without a known cause, which is referred to as idiopathic gastric volvulus.
Treatment
Treatment for gastric volvulus typically involves surgery to untwist the stomach and prevent future occurrences. This can be done through a procedure called gastropexy, where the stomach is sutured to the abdominal wall or diaphragm.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Gastric volvulus
- Wikipedia's article - Gastric volvulus
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski