The sigmoid mesocolon is a peritoneal fold that suspends the sigmoid colon from the posterior parietal peritoneum. It can be the site of an internal hernia.
Types:
(1) intersigmoid (involving the intersigmoid fossa)
(2) transmesosigmoid (defect penetrates the mesentery completely)
(3) intramesosigmoid (partial defect in the mesentery with the hernia within the mesentery)
Contents: small bowel
Clinical features:
(1) small bowel obstruction
(2) abdominal pain
(3) strangulation of bowel with ischemia
CT findings:
(1) cluster of dilated small bowel loops entrapped posterior and lateral to the sigmoid colon
(2) displacement of the sigmoid colon antero-medially
(3) splaying of the sigmoid vessels around the hernia
(4) convergence of engorged small bowel vessels
To read more or access our algorithms and calculators, please log in or register.
