[A case of Bochdalek hernia in an adult with volvulus of the stomach and hypopotassemia].

Gastric volvulus is a rare disease. We recently encountered a gastric volvulus associated with Bochdalek hernia and severe hypopotassemia. A 32-year-old woman experienced epigastric pain and recurrent vomiting. The changes of the electrocardiogram in this patient (K1.8mEq/l) were inverted T wave and ST depression. She was diagnosed as having gastric volvulus associated with Bochdalek hernia by chest X-ray films, contrast radiography of the upper digestive tract and thoraco-abdominal CT scans. Symptoms did not disappear with the administration of conservative therapy. At laparotomy, the stomach was rotated around its mesenteric axis in the sagittal plane. After operative repair, symptoms disappeared, and serum potassium level returned to normal. Gastric volvulus is rather easily diagnosed if its existence is kept in mind.