A number of causes of gastric outlet obstruction can cause a ball valve syndrome.
Features of a ball valve syndrome:
(1) mobile mass that functions as the "ball"
(2) an area of constriction that the mass can impinge against (pyloric valve, stricture, etc)
(3) intermittent obstruction (obstruction when ball becomes seated, flow when ball pulls back)
(4) scarf-ring sign on imaging studies
Causes of a mobile mass may include:
(1) inflammatory fibroid polyp (Vanek tumor)
(2) other pedunculated tumor (lipoma, other)
(3) bezoar or foreign body
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Specialty: Gastroenterology
