Corkscrew sign (midgut volvulus)

Last revised by Daniel J Bell on 9 Dec 2019

The corkscrew sign describes the spiral appearance of the distal duodenum and proximal jejunum seen in midgut volvulus 1.

In patients with malrotation and volvulus, the distal duodenum and proximal jejunum do not cross the midline and instead pass in an inferior direction. These loops twist on a shortened small bowel mesentery, resulting in the characteristic corkscrew appearance.

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