The radiologist says malrotation: does the surgeon operate?

Pediatr Surg Int. 2000;16(1-2):45-9. doi: 10.1007/s003830050012.

Abstract

The management of malrotation when it is an incidental finding is unclear. This retrospective study reports an analysis of radiological and operative findings in a series of 71 patients. There were no deaths. We report a false-positive rate of 15% for upper gastrointestinal contrast studies reported as showing malrotation. Our findings and a review of the literature demonstrate that in the asymptomatic child over 2 years of age, the evidence supporting mandatory correction of malrotation is weak.

MeSH terms

  • Child, Preschool
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Diagnostic Errors / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Intestinal Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Intestinal Diseases / surgery
  • Intestines / abnormalities*
  • Intestines / diagnostic imaging
  • Intestines / surgery
  • Laparotomy / statistics & numerical data
  • Radiography
  • Radiology*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Single-Blind Method