Volvulus of the ascending colon: an unusual complication of non-rotation of the midgut.

A case of non-rotation of the bowel is presented wherein volvulus of the colon occurred causing acute obstruction. Spontaneous reduction following a barium enema as well as the patient's history leads us to suspect that volvulus had occurred in the past and was responsible for the intermittent nature of the patient's symptoms. This type of volvulus is distinctly different from midgut volvulus and is a rare complication of the anomaly of intestinal rotation and fixation known as non-rotation of the bowel. Efforts should be made to study patients with malrotation anomalies at a time when they are acutely symptomatic so that intermittent volvulus such as shown here is not overlooked.