Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

Sigmoid volvulus: New thoughts on the epidemiology

  • Published:
Diseases of the Colon & Rectum

Abstract

Sigmoid volvulus usually affects the elderly, but it is being increasingly described in a younger age group. In these patients the diagnosis is often delayed, due to a prolonged and intermittent history. Three patients, of 31, 36, and 67 years, are described here, and they demonstrate an increased incidence within families, which has not been previously recognized. A wareness of this possibility may allow earlier diagnosis when investigating young patients with intermittent abdominal symptoms, whose relatives are known to be affected.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Suttcliffe MM. Volvulus of the sigmoid colon. Br J Surg 1968;55:903–10.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Shepherd JJ. The epidemiology and clinical presentation of sigmoid volvulus. Br J Surg 1969;56:353–9.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Sturzaker HG, Lawrie RS, Joiner CL. Recurrent sigmoid volvulus in young people: a missed diagnosis. Br Med J 1975;4:338–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Smith RB, Kettlewell MG, Gough MH. Intermittent sigmoid volvulus in the younger age groups. Br J Surg 1977;64:406–9.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Treves F. Intestinal obstruction: its varieties with their pathology, diagnosis and treatment. London: Cassell, 1899:136.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Andersen DA. A survey of the incidence of urolithiasis in Norway from 1853 to 1960. J Oslo City Hosp 1966;16:101–47.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Drapanas T, Stewart JD. Acute sigmoid volvulus: concepts in surgical treatment. Am J Surg 1961;101:70–7.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Lazaro EJ, Das PB, Abraham PV. Volvulus of the sigmoid colon complicating pregnancy. Obstet Gynecol 1969;33:553–7.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Carter R, Hinshaw DB. Acute sigmoid volvulus in children. Am J Dis Child 1961;101:631–4.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Campbell JR, Blank E. Sigmoid volvulus in children. Pediatrics 1974;53:702–5.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Boerema WJ. Intermittent volvulus of the sigmoid colon. Med J Aust 1980;1:223–4.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Plaut T. Volvulus der flexur bei vater und sohn. Klin Wochenschr 1929;8:1177.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

About this article

Cite this article

Northeast, A.D.R., Dennison, A.R. & Lee, E.G. Sigmoid volvulus: New thoughts on the epidemiology. Dis Colon Rectum 27, 260–261 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02553802

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02553802

Key words

Navigation