Clinical History.—This 6 4/12-year-old girl was admitted to the National Children's Hospital because of upper abdominal distension and discomfort of 3 weeks' duration. The patient could not take a large meal or fluid. Vomiting was not observed. Upper abdominal distension was not relieved by belching, but by alterations in position. Progressive distension of the upper abdomen gradually developed, and she complained of intractable retching.
Physical Examination.—The patient was in good nutritional condition. The only outstanding physical finding was marked distension of the upper part of the abdomen with the lower part remaining less distended. Percussion of the abdomen revealed marked meteorism. It was not easy to pass a stomach-tube and to relieve the abdominal distension. Because of a possibility of mechanical bowel obstruction, radiological studies were carried out (Fig 1 through 4).
Denouement and Discussion
Volvulus of the Stomach
Volvulus of the stomach is a rare condition.1,2