Interspersed colon

　　Interspersed colon syndrome, also known as Chilaiditi syndrome, is a condition where the right colon flexure is embedded between the liver and diaphragm. The cause of this condition is not in the intestinal tract itself; the downward and abnormal positioning of the liver is the basis for the disease. It is often due to abnormal development such as overly long, weak, or absent ligaments of the liver, causing the liver to descend and the gap between the liver and diaphragm to widen, resulting in the colon being embedded between them to form the disease. Congenital weakness or paralysis of the diaphragm is a predisposing factor for the disease. In addition, in some patients with liver cirrhosis, this condition can also be seen due to obvious atrophy of the right liver lobe and an enlarged liver-diaphragm gap.

　　Interspersed colon can be seen in both males and females, and is often asymptomatic in daily life. Some may manifest as upper abdominal discomfort, mild bloating, particularly in the upper right abdomen, which worsens after meals. Only in childhood can it affect appetite, reduce food intake, and hinder growth and development.

　　This disease can occur in both men and women, and is often asymptomatic in daily life. Some may manifest as upper abdominal discomfort, mild abdominal distension, which is more prominent in the upper right abdomen and worsens after meals. Clinically, it is often misdiagnosed as cholecystitis or gastritis. When the embedded colon causes obstruction, there is often a sudden, unbearable upper abdominal pain, with a feeling of shortness of breath and back pain. Symptoms disappear after several hours to several days, and most of them disappear suddenly after activity.

　　Interposed colon refers to the colon (mostly the hepatic flexure) entering the space between the liver and diaphragm through the prehepatic space or posterhepatic space, which may be asymptomatic and can cause hidden pain in the right hypochondrium, abdominal distension, and even gastrointestinal obstruction. The symptoms caused by this are called interposed colon syndrome, also known as Chilaiditi syndrome. The cause is not in the intestinal tract itself, but the downward and abnormal position of the liver is the basis for the formation of this disease. It is often due to the abnormal development of the liver ligaments, which are too long, thin, and lacking, causing the liver to descend and the gap between the liver and diaphragm to widen, resulting in the colon being embedded between them to form this disease. Congenital weakness of the diaphragm or diaphragmatic paralysis is a precipitating factor for this disease.

　　There is no special preventive method for this disease, but the precipitating factors can be treated.

    When diagnosing interposed colon, in addition to relying on its clinical manifestations, auxiliary examinations are also needed. The diagnosis of this disease is mainly X-ray and CT, and ultrasound examination is also used now, which can judge the position of the colon. Due to the influence of some gas, ultrasound examination also has its limitations.

　　Avoid gas-producing foods such as sweet potatoes, red beans, potatoes, taro, radishes, pumpkins, and chestnuts.

　　Appropriate fat control is needed. Do not use high-fat foods and fried foods in the diet.

　　Reduce the use of oil in cooking and use methods such as steaming, blanching, braising, and stewing.

　　Avoid high-fat foods such as lard, mutton fat, butter, beef fat, and walnuts to prevent exacerbation of abdominal pain.

　　For those with severe symptoms and progressive, persistent worsening, especially severe symptoms in children, affecting appetite and hindering growth and development, surgical radical treatment can be considered. The prognosis for fixed liver and colon is good. Mild cases may not require treatment, and most can recover spontaneously after bed rest and avoiding the production of gas in the esophagus.