K Miyakoshi1, M Tanaka, T Miyazaki, Y Yoshimura. 1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan. kei@mc.med.keio.ac.jp
Abstract
BACKGROUND: We report a case of congenital small-bowel torsion detected by prenatal ultrasonographic examination. CASE: A 27-year-old primigravida was found to have a fetus with a small-bowel obstruction by ultrasound examination during the third trimester. At 35 weeks of gestation, she complained of absence of fetal activity. A nonstress test showed a nonreactive pattern with reduced baseline variability. Sonographic examination revealed heterogeneous echogenicity within the dilated bowel, and loss of peristalsis. Also noted was a small amount of fetal ascites. After birth, torsion of the dilated small bowel associated with ileal atresia was found at exploratory laparotomy. CONCLUSION: Serial sonographic examinations with special attention to changes in the dilated bowel are useful in the management of prenatally diagnosed small-bowel obstruction.
BACKGROUND: We report a case of congenital small-bowel torsion detected by prenatal ultrasonographic examination. CASE: A 27-year-old primigravida was found to have a fetus with a small-bowel obstruction by ultrasound examination during the third trimester. At 35 weeks of gestation, she complained of absence of fetal activity. A nonstress test showed a nonreactive pattern with reduced baseline variability. Sonographic examination revealed heterogeneous echogenicity within the dilated bowel, and loss of peristalsis. Also noted was a small amount of fetal ascites. After birth, torsion of the dilated small bowel associated with ileal atresia was found at exploratory laparotomy. CONCLUSION: Serial sonographic examinations with special attention to changes in the dilated bowel are useful in the management of prenatally diagnosed small-bowel obstruction.