Health Dictionary Find a Doctor

Gastric volvulus

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Contributors: Cafer Zorkun M.D., PhD.


Overview

Overview

Gastric volvulus a twisting of all or part of the stomach by more than 180 degrees with obstruction of the flow of material through the stomach, variable loss of blood supply and possible tissue death. The twisting can occur around the long axis of the stomach, this is called organoaxial or around the axis perpendicular to this, called mesenteroaxial. Obstruction and ischemia are more likely in mesenteroaxial twisting than with organoaxial. About one third of the cases are associated with a hiatus hernia. Treatment is surgical. [1]

Clinical Presentations

Clinical Presentations

The classic triad of gastric volvulus, described by Borchardt in 1904, consists of severe epigastric pain, retching without vomiting and inability to pass a nasogastric tube.

Diagnostic Findings

Diagnostic Findings

Patient #1: Organoaxial gastric volvulus

Images courtesy of RadsWiki

Patient #2: Organoaxial gastric volvulus

Images courtesy of RadsWiki

References

References

  1. Schaefer D, Nikoomenesh P, Moore C (1997). “Gastric volvulus: an old disease process with some new twists”. Gastroenterologist. 5 (1): 41–5. PMID 9074918.
External Links


Template:Digestive system diseases


Template:WikiDoc Sources

Looking for the patient version?

Back to the patient-friendly article

© 2026 MyEClinic – IFTM Institut für Telematik in der Medizin GmbH