Situs inversus totalis

Abstract

Introduction: Situs inversus totalis is a rare condition, of low incidence, usually diagnosed as an incidental finding, a reason why an adequate and complete physical examination is necessary, a part from the use of imaging tests, to rule out related disorders and to inform the patient of the disease.

Objective: To describe situs inversus totalis, a rare condition diagnosed during medical consultation by adequately performing the physical examination and the pertinent request of complementary examinations.

Clinical case: A 53-year-old female patient, without individual disease history, presented with abdominal pain. She is attended at the type B Centro de Salud IESS Sucúa. After physical examination and complementary imaging tests, including abdominal ultrasound, as well as chest and abdominal X-rays, she is diagnosed with dyspeptic syndrome and situs inversus totalis.

Conclusions: The complete and high-quality physical examination is the primary and fundamental piece for the diagnosis of diseases. This process, accompanied by complementary examinations, reduces errors and facilitates diagnostic corroboration.