Intermittent sigmoid volvulus in the younger age groups.

Sigmoid volvulus is a well-recognized clinical entity, occurring more commonly in the male in middle or old age. In younger age groups the diagnosis is therefore often delayed. We report here 11 patients of an average age of 31 years (range 12-57 years), with a preponderance of females (7 : 4), who have presented to us in the past 2 years with intermittent sigmoid volvulus. The average age at onset of initial symptoms was 26 years. All had the diagnosis confirmed radiologically by colonoscopy or at operation. The diagnostic features of the condition are described.