'Grumbling' Midgut Volvulus in an Older Paediatric Patient With Congenital Solitary Kidney: A Case Report

Cureus. 2023 Nov 21;15(11):e49202. doi: 10.7759/cureus.49202. eCollection 2023 Nov.

Abstract

Midgut volvulus is a life-threatening condition, with the majority of cases presenting before the first year of life. Congenital gastrointestinal abnormalities can be associated with midgut volvulus; however, similar associations have not been described with congenital renal abnormalities. Congenital solitary kidney (CSK) means that a child is born with only one functional kidney. Here, we describe a case of a five-year-old child with CSK who atypically presents with midgut volvulus. The case highlights how midgut volvulus may present with chronic symptoms in those over the age of one and the importance of upper GI contrast studies for diagnosis of midgut volvulus in this population and suggests CSK along with other causes of solitary kidney as possible risk factors for volvulus.

Keywords: case report; congenital solitary kidney; emergency department; midgut volvulus; paediatric general surgery.

Publication types

  • Case Reports