Waugh's Syndrome: A Case Report and Literature Review of Intussusception and Malrotation

Abstract

Waugh's syndrome, the rare coexistence of intussusception and intestinal malrotation, has rarely been reported in literature, with fewer than 100 cases described globally. Its diagnosis is challenging due to non-specific symptoms of both conditions and the frequent success of non-operative reduction of intussusception, which often results in underdiagnosis of malrotation. We present a case of a 6-month-old boy who developed recurrent vomiting, feeding intolerance, and failure to thrive. Ultrasound imaging revealed ileocolic intussusception and a mobile cecum. Laparoscopy confirmed malrotation, and the patient underwent manual reduction of intussusception, followed by Ladd procedure. The child had an uneventful postoperative recovery without complications. Early diagnosis of Waugh's syndrome requires a high index of suspicion, particularly in recurrent obstructive symptoms where malrotation may be present. Enhanced imaging techniques can facilitate prompt diagnosis and guide appropriate surgical intervention, preventing complications. Clinicians should maintain a high degree of suspicion for Waugh's syndrome to ensure timely and effective intervention.

Keywords

intussusception - malrotation - Waugh's syndrome - Ladd procedure - ultrasound

Data Availability Statement

The datasets generated and/or analyzed during the current study are not publicly available as individual privacy could be compromised, but are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Contributors' Statement

M.R.C. led the conceptualization of the study and contributed to data curation, formal analysis, investigation, methodology, project administration, resources, supervision, validation, visualization, and preparation of the original draft. A.I.B. and J.C. contributed to data curation, formal analysis, validation, visualization, and manuscript review and editing. J.S., C.S.-L., and M.L.G. participated in formal analysis, investigation, validation, visualization, and manuscript review and editing. H.M.S. contributed to conceptualization, investigation, supervision, validation, and manuscript review and editing. H.M. contributed to conceptualization, methodology, supervision, and manuscript review and editing. J.B.-L. contributed to conceptualization, data curation, investigation, methodology, project administration, supervision, validation, visualization, and manuscript review and editing.

Informed Consent for Publication

Patient's parents (legal guardians) consented to publish under an institutional consent form.

Publication History

Received: 08 September 2025

Accepted: 06 January 2026

Accepted Manuscript online:
20 January 2026

Article published online:
27 January 2026

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