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Six neonates with midgut malrotation and volvulus were explored with ultrasonography before surgery. In each case, ultrasound detected an abnormal position of the superior mesenteric vein with regard to the superior mesenteric artery, indicating a midgut malrotation. In 4 patients, a propeller-like image was present around the superior mesenteric axis, demonstrating an associated volvulus. In 2 patients, there was a tumor-like presentation of the volvulated small intestine. Compared to the intestinal opacification, ultrasound seems to be a simple and rapid method to explore the neonate with vomiting or acute abdomen.

Radiological, and particularly arteriographic examinations in a 28-year-old man investigated for a malabsorption syndrome with exsudative enteropathy demonstrated the presence of a complex anomaly of mesenteric artery and vein vascularization. The diagnosis, based on these findings, was chronic or recurrent valvulus of the mesentery on an intestinal malposition.

An arteriovenous aneurysm in the region supplied by the superior mesenteric artery was detected fortuitously during abdominal arteriography. The absence of a previous history of injury or operation suggested a congenital origin for this infrequently observed lesion. Logical therapy whenever possible is resection of mesentery and the neighbouring intestine.