EC Emergency Medicine and Critical Care

The volvulus of the sigmoid is a diagnostic and therapeutic emergency, potentially serious, occurring in frail patients. It corresponds to the torsion of the sigmoid around its meso, responsible for a mechanical colonic occlusion. The prognosis is related to the presence or absence of colonic ischemic lesions. The abdomino-pelvic CT scan is the effective imaging modality to retain the diagnosis of volvulus through two characteristic semiological signs: bird's beak sign and whirlpool sign. These scannographic aspects, the diagnosis, risk factors and treatment of sigmoid volvulus are discussed.

Keywords: Sigmoid Volvulus; Intestinal Obstruction; Occlusive Syndrome; Abdominal CT; Emergency

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