Small bowel volvulus is a rare cause of small bowel obstruction, but must be considered as the likely diagnosis when mesenteric ‘whirlpool sign’ is present on imaging. Peritonism with such imaging findings warrants prompt intervention.

Mesenteric cysts are rare tumours that are difficult to diagnose given their vague symptomatology such as abdominal pain and nausea. Our case demonstrates a patient presenting with suspected ureteric colic, whereby early imaging revealed this rarity