Mobile cecal syndrome in the adult.

The mobile cecal syndrome is primarily a disease of children. However, it may be present as a precursor of frank cecal volvulus in approximately 50 per cent of the cases. Symptoms are intermittent colicky right lower quadrant pain with tenderness over McBurney's point and hyperactive high-pitched bowel sounds during the attack. After the attack, the patient is asymptomatic. Three cases of young women with mobile cecal syndrome are presented to illustrate the clinical course and surgical therapy. The mobile cecal syndrome should be considered in the differential diagnosis of right lower quadrant pain from obscure causes.