The frequency of gastric volvulus among patients presenting for upper gastro-intestinal tract Barium studies at Mulago Hospital

ABSTRACT

Long-standing upper abdominal pain is the commonest symptom in patients referred for upper gastro-intestinal tract (UGIT) Barium studies at the Radiology Department of Mulago Hospital. Between October 1993 and May 1995; 31 patients; attending Mulago Hospital for upper abdominal pain; showed gastric volvulus on UGIT Barium studies. The volvulus was organo-axial in all. It was complete in 10 patients and partial in 21. In 21 patients volvulus was the only finding but 10 had other pathologies such as peptic ulcers; hiatus hernias and gastritis. Symptoms disappeared in all four patients who underwent gastropexy. Important findings at laparotomy were long suspensory ligaments of the stomach and a long transverse mesocolon seen in two patients. In this series; chronic gastric volvulus occurred in 1.2of patients presenting for UGIT studies at Mulago Hospital and may be the cause of pain in some of these individuals