Virginia Via Research Day Book 2026

Medical Student Research Case Reports

42 A RARE CADAVERIC CASE: ANATOMICAL DISCOVERY OF A BIFID CECUM WITH MIDGUT MALROTATION

Ni, J. OMS-II; Hrubec, T. C. DVM. PhD. Corresponding author: jni@vcom.edu

VCOM-Virginia, Blacksburg, Virginia

posterior to the liver. No volvulus-related deformities were observed, and no inflammatory or neoplastic lesions were present. There were no signs or indications of abdominal surgery or intestinal resection that may have repositioned the colon. Since donor clinical records were not available, it is unknown whether the individual experienced abdominal symptoms, diagnostic challenges, or surgical interventions related to these anomalies during life. The remainder of the gastrointestinal tract and other organ systems appeared grossly normal, suggesting these anomalies may have been asymptomatic or clinically silent. Comments: A literature review was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, Clinical Anatomy, and textbook resources. Search terms included: “bifid cecum,” “cecal duplication,” “cecal anomalies,” “intestinal malrotation,” “midgut rotation anomalies,” and “congenital gastrointestinal variants.” Bifid or duplicated cecum is described as one of the rarest gastrointestinal malformations, with only isolated case reports. Most documented cases present clinically in childhood with abdominal pain, obstruction, or association with duplications of the ileum or colon. Very

few reports describe discovery in adult patients, and even fewer describe incidentally found anomalies during cadaveric dissection. Similarly, intestinal malrotation is typically identified in infancy but may remain clinically silent into adulthood. The combination of a bifid cecum and malrotation has been reported only sporadically. Compared with clinical cases that often present with volvulus, obstruction, or chronic abdominal pain, this donor showed no evidence of such complications. The asymptomatic presentation highlights how congenital gastrointestinal anomalies may remain undetected throughout life and emphasizes the educational value of anatomical donations in identifying rare developmental variations. Diagnosis: Bifid cecum with associated intestinal malrotation, confirmed through cadaveric anatomical dissection. IRB Statement: The VCOM IRB does not require approval for single-patient case reports or cadaver based anatomical observations. No identifying information was available for the donor.

Context: Bifid cecum is an exceptionally rare congenital anomaly characterized by a duplication or bifurcation of the cecal pouch. While intestinal malrotation is more commonly recognized as a developmental abnormality of midgut rotation and fixation, its coexistence with a bifid cecum has been reported only in a handful of anatomical or clinical observations. Understanding these variants is important because congenital anomalies of the cecum and midgut may contribute to atypical gastrointestinal symptoms, surgical confusion, or altered risk for volvulus or obstruction. Cadaveric discoveries offer valuable insight into anatomical deviations that may never be diagnosed during life. Report of Case: During routine dissection in a medical gross anatomy laboratory, an adult cadaver donor was found to have a distinct bifid cecum. Two separate cecal pouches were present, each with its own rounded contour, separated by a shallow groove. The ileocecal junction enters near the medial aspect of the bifurcation. Further examination of the abdominal cavity revealed features consistent with intestinal malrotation. The cecum was found in the upper right quadrant,

Table of Contents

80 Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM)