Abdominal compartment syndrome from sigmoid volvulus presenting as acute respiratory failure

Abstract

Background: Volvulus of the large intestine is a relatively uncommon cause of bowel obstruction. A rare complication is abdominal compartment syndrome, which can manifest as multisystem organ failure. Case Report: We present a case of a 62-year-old hemiparetic man who presented intubated for respiratory distress, and later became unstable, with profound hypotension and hypoxia. He was found to have a large sigmoid volvulus causing acute abdominal compartment syndrome with compression of bilateral lower lungs and mediastinal structures, and ultimately survived to undergo an exploratory laparotomy with sigmoidectomy. Why should an emergency physician be aware of this? Respiratory distress and abdominal pain are some of the most common chief complaints presenting to the ED. Emergency physicians must be aware of the potential sequelae of bowel obstruction, and recall that not all respiratory failure is caused by a primary cardiopulmonary process.