Intestinal Volvulus-Ultrasonography Diagnosis

Small bowel volvulus is defined as torsion of a loop of small bowel resulting in partial or complete obstruction. FAST ultrasound allows a rapid and noninvasive evaluation. Ultrasound is a precise modality when being suspicious of volvulus (89% and 92% of sensitivity and specificity, respectively, when detecting the whirlpool sign). This method also has the advantage that can be conducted at a patient's bedside and does not use ionizing radiation, like a CT scan.