Twisted small intestine. Coloured barium X-ray of the abdomen of an infant. The duodenum, the beginning of the small intestine (orange) has become twisted (duodenal volvulus). The mesentery, the membranous tissue that connects the intestine to the abdominal wall and supplies it with blood, has also become twisted. The obstruction of the passage of food can cause severe abdominal pain and vomiting. Cutting off of the blood supply can lead to tissue death and gangrene and therefore volvulus requires emergency surgery. The patient was given a meal containing radio-opaque barium prior to the X-ray to highlight any anomalies.