ABSTRACT
We hereby present a 70-year-old male Ethiopian farmer who presented with clinical manifestations suggestive of acute large bowel obstruction, which had persisted for 3 days. Over the past 3 years, he has experienced three similar recurring episodes, which were alleviated by decompression using a rectal tube. Upon initial examination, the patient displayed signs of cardiopulmonary distress, although no indications of peritonitis were observed. Further evaluation through plain abdominal and chest X-rays revealed findings consistent with sigmoid volvulus, as well as mediastinal shift, elevated diaphragm, and a right-positioned heart. Consequently, a sigmoid resection and an end colostomy were done. The patient showed improvement and was discharged from the hospital on the 14th day following the surgery. It is atypical for an individual to present with acute sigmoid volvulus accompanied by a mediastinal shift resulting from mass action on the hemidiaphragm. Therefore, it may be imperative to involve a pulmonologist in managing this rare situation. By ensuring that the surgical team is well-informed in such circumstances, patients can receive enhanced care and treatment.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Acute appendicitis is the most common cause of acute abdominal pain, requiring emergency surgery. Symptoms and signs of acute appendicitis usually occur in the right lower quadrant. However, approximately one-third of cases have pain unexcepted location due to its various anatomical locations. Acute appendicitis is a very rare cause of left lower quadrant pain; if it occurs, situs inversus (SI) and midgut malrotation (MM) are uncommon anatomic anomalies that complicate its diagnosis and management. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: Here we present a 23-year-old Ethiopian male patient who presented with epigastric and left paraumbilical abdominal pain, fever, and vomiting of a day duration. On examination at admission, the patient had left lower quadrant tenderness. Later, with the help of imaging studies, the patient was diagnosed with left-side acute perforated appendicitis with intestinal nonrotation, and he was operated on and discharged improved after 6 days of hospital stay. CONCLUSION: Physicians should be aware that acute appendicitis in patients with intestinal mal-rotation may be present with left-side abdominal pain. Although it is extremely rare, acute appendicitis should always be considered in the differential diagnosis of left-side abdominal pain. An increase in awareness of this anatomical variant is essential for physicians.
