Malrotation of the Duodenum. Frequency in a Radiographic Control Group

Abstract

In a prospective radiographic study, abnormal configurations with kinking and torsion (malrotation) of the duodenum were found in 41% of 150 non-dyspeptic subjects. Malrotation of the duodenum (MD) was more frequent before the age of 30, and in the entire series the frequency decreased significantly with age from approximately 60% at 20 years to approximately 25% in individuals aged 35 years or more. It should be considered whether the same radiographic configuration as in MD up to the age of 30–35 years is merely due to uncompleted disposition and fixation of the duodenum, so that the diagnosis of MD cannot be definitely established until after that age. In the presence of MD, the luminal diameter of the duodenum was larger than normal, and there was a greater tendency to gastric retention at 4 hours after the barium meal.

Key-words:

• Duodenum
• malrotation
• radiography