Recurrent Sigmoid Volvulus in a Young Female With Ulcerative Colitis: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Sigmoid volvulus (SV) is extremely rare in young patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). We report a 20-year-old female with UC presenting with recurrent SV without traditional risk factors. Computed tomography (CT) confirmed the diagnosis with a "whirl sign." The patient underwent definitive robotic-assisted anterior resection with inferior mesenteric vessel preservation. Notably, the site of torsion corresponded to the segment most severely affected by UC, suggesting a localized inflammatory mechanism contributing to volvulus formation. This case highlights a potential pathophysiological link between chronic inflammation and colonic torsion, possibly involving neuroinflammatory changes. Clinicians should consider recurrent SV in young UC patients as a potential indicator of segmental motility dysfunction and evaluate the need for definitive surgical management.

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Publication Details

Journal
Cureus
Published
2026-04-15
DOI
https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.107089
Primary Topic
Intestinal Malrotation and Obstruction Disorders
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
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article

Recurrent Sigmoid Volvulus in a Young Female With Ulcerative Colitis: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Cheng-Wei Huang, Hung-Ming Huang, Yu-Chun Yeh, Yu-Ru Lai
Cureus
Intestinal Malrotation and Obstruction Disorders
article

Recurrent Sigmoid Volvulus in a Young Female With Ulcerative Colitis: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Cheng-Wei Huang, Hung-Ming Huang, Yu-Chun Yeh, Yu-Ru Lai
article en

Abstract

Sigmoid volvulus (SV) is extremely rare in young patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). We report a 20-year-old female with UC presenting with recurrent SV without traditional risk factors. Computed tomography (CT) confirmed the diagnosis with a "whirl sign." The patient underwent definitive robotic-assisted anterior resection with inferior mesenteric vessel preservation. Notably, the site of torsion corresponded to the segment most severely affected by UC, suggesting a localized inflammatory mechanism contributing to volvulus formation. This case highlights a potential pathophysiological link between chronic inflammation and colonic torsion, possibly involving neuroinflammatory changes. Clinicians should consider recurrent SV in young UC patients as a potential indicator of segmental motility dysfunction and evaluate the need for definitive surgical management.

Cureus
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Intestinal Malrotation and Obstruction Disorders
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