WHIRL SIGN AS CT FINDING IN SMALL-BOWEL VOLVULUS

In three patients with ileus CT showed a whirl sign in which the bowel and mesenteric folds encircled the superior mesenteric vein in a whirl-like pattern. Two patients were confirmed surgically to have small-bowel volvulus arising from postoperative adhesions. The whirl sign is useful in decision-making about the need for surgery. A CT examination should be performed for patients with ileus of unknown cause.