Malrotation of the Gut: Not Just a Diagnosis of Infancy

A congenital malformation of embryonic gastrointestinal (GI) tract development can result in a condition called midgut malrotation, which can cause abdominal obstruction and subsequent acute or chronic GI symptoms. Although historically thought to be a condition of infancy and young children, modern diagnostic techniques have assisted in discovering patients beyond this age group as well. Failure to adequately recognize this condition in adolescents and adults has resulted in delayed or missed diagnoses, patient harm, and life-threatening complications of this condition, such as volvulus. We present the case of an adolescent experiencing three weeks of abdominal pain, along with other GI symptoms, caused by midgut malrotation.