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Frederic M. Boyden, MD; William M. Tappan, MD
Washoe Medical Center Reno, Nev

JAMA. 1970;211(4):662-663.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text PDF and any section headings.

To the Editor:—

An interesting, but rare, intestinal obstruction is the "intestinal knot syndrome," occasionally referred to as "double volvulus" or "compound volvulus." The phenomenon begins with a sigmoid volvulus with subsequent wrappings of the ileum about its axis, forming an intestinal knot.¹ Due to the devitalization of both knotted segments, the prognosis is grave unless there is early surgical intervention.^2,3

History.—

The earliest reported case was that of Parker in 1845, entitled, "Case of Intestinal Obstruction: Sigmoid Flexure Strangulated by the Ileum."⁴ Kallio's extensive review (1932) reported 161 cases including 77 from Finland.⁵ Recent reports from Africa reveal, among others, 92 cases in Uganda.^6-8

The lesion is rare in the United States. In a review of 52 cases of sigmoid volvulus from Grady Hospital, Atlanta, there were two instances of intestinal knotting.¹ To date, no precipitating factors have been identified. Frimann-Dahl postulates that . . . [Full Text PDF of this Article]

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