Intrauterine volvulus without malrotation.

This report describes two cases of intrauterine volvulus without associated intestinal malrotation. Polyhydramnios was present in one neonate; the presentation was very sudden and catastrophic in the other. Neither plain films nor contrast enema indicated the correct preoperative diagnosis in these infants. A "normal" plain film or enema in a suspected case of volvulus may lead to a delay in surgical management resulting in extensive ischemic necrosis of the bowel, often with extremely high mortality. Bile emesis or aspirate in neonates demands a high index of suspicion of intestinal obstruction. Shock, bloody diarrhea, and tense and distended abdomen are ominous, indicating volvulus often with gangrene.