Chronic small bowel obstruction due to intestinal malrotation in the older child: an often missed diagnosis.

Abstract

A case of chronic small bowel obstruction due to intestinal malrotation in a 13.5-year-old girl is reported. The importance of the patient's history revealing the recurrent character of the symptoms, and of different radiological features are emphasized, in order to prevent late diagnosis. Diagnosis of psychogenic disorder is only retained after exclusion of all organic anomalies. At surgery the bowel is placed in the primitive position of the non-rotated gut, after reduction or resection of the volvulus, if present.