Colorectal surgery: volvulus: practice question

A General Surgery question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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General Surgery · Colorectal surgery: volvulus

Sample item

An elderly institutionalized patient presents with progressive distension and constipation. Abdominal radiography shows a coffee-bean shaped loop arising from the pelvis. Which diagnosis is most likely?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. Sigmoid volvulus

Sigmoid volvulus causes large-bowel obstruction through torsion of the sigmoid colon and classically has a coffee-bean appearance on radiography. In the absence of ischemia or perforation, endoscopic decompression may be attempted.

Option by option

  • A. Cecal diverticulitis

    Cecal diverticulitis causes focal right-sided inflammatory pain rather than this radiographic pattern.

  • B. Pyloric stenosis

    Pyloric stenosis causes nonbilious vomiting in infants.

  • C. Intussusception

    Intussusception is telescoping bowel and is more typical in children.

  • D. Sigmoid volvulus (correct)

    Correct. The pelvic coffee-bean configuration is classic for sigmoid volvulus.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this General Surgery question

What is the answer to this General Surgery question?

The best answer is D, Sigmoid volvulus. Sigmoid volvulus causes large-bowel obstruction through torsion of the sigmoid colon and classically has a coffee-bean appearance on radiography.

Why is "Cecal diverticulitis" not the answer?

Cecal diverticulitis causes focal right-sided inflammatory pain rather than this radiographic pattern.

Why is "Pyloric stenosis" not the answer?

Pyloric stenosis causes nonbilious vomiting in infants.

Why is "Intussusception" not the answer?

Intussusception is telescoping bowel and is more typical in children.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Colorectal surgery: volvulus in General Surgery. In the absence of ischemia or perforation, endoscopic decompression may be attempted.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Colorectal surgery: volvulus?

Learn classic signs and eponyms alongside what they diagnose. Then use the flashcards and the other General Surgery questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.