Multislice CT in adult colocolic intussusception: case report and review of the literature

Adult intussusception: a systematic review of current literature

BACKGROUND

Intussusception in adults is a rare condition characterized by a low incidence, which complicates the establishment of standardized management protocols unlike those readily available for pediatric cases. This study presents a case series from our institution alongside a systematic review of existing literature. The objective is to delineate effective management strategies for adult intussusception.

METHODS

A systematic search of databases was conducted covering the period from January 2000 to May 2024. The study focused on adult patients diagnosed with intussusception either pre-operatively or intraoperatively and managed with either surgical intervention or conservative methods. The analysis also included retrospective review of patient records from our institution, specifically targeting individuals over 18 years of age, to determine the predominant types of intussusception and identify any pathological lead points associated with these cases.

RESULTS

In our study, a total of 1,902 patients were included from 59 selected articles, with a mean age of 52.13 ± 14.95 years. Among them, 1,920 intussusceptions were diagnosed, with 98.3% of cases identified preoperatively. Computed tomography (CT) scan was the primary diagnostic modality used in 88.5% of cases. Abdominal pain was the predominant presenting symptom, observed in 86.23% of cases. Only 29 out of 1,920 cases underwent attempted reduction, while the majority required surgical resection due to the high incidence of malignancy in adult cases. The most common type of intussusception identified was colocolic (16.82%), followed by enteric (13.28%), ileocolic (4.89%), and ileocaecal (0.78%) types. A pathological lead point was observed in 302 out of 673 patients (44.84%), with a notably higher frequency of malignancy associated with colocolic intussusception.

CONCLUSION

Surgical management remains the cornerstone in treating adult intussusception, particularly in cases involving the colocolic type, where there is a significant risk of underlying malignancy. Attempts at reduction are generally avoided due to the potential risk of tumor dissemination, which could adversely impact patient outcomes. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) of the abdomen is pivotal for accurately diagnosing intussusceptions and guiding appropriate management strategies. It is imperative to adhere strictly to oncological principles during surgical interventions to ensure optimal patient care and outcomes.

Laparoscopic ileo-cecectomy for ileo-ceco-colic double intussusception due to a cecal adenoma harboring multifocal high grade dysplasia in a 24 years old male: A case report

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Bowel intussusception is defined as invagination of the intussusceptum into the intussuscepien.

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Responsible of 1% of all bowel obstructions.

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Colonic involvement is majorly due to malignant lesions.

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Colonoscopy has a role in diagnosing the cause and location of leading point, as well as non-operative reduction in selected cases.

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Oncological surgical resection is the most agreeable definitive treatment method.

Introduction

Intestinal Intussusception is defined as invagination of the intussusceptum into the intussuscepien, and is responsible of 1% of all bowel obstructions. It is rare in adults and common in children. It is mostly due to organic causes in adults that form lead points. Enteroenteric intussusception is the most common type. Signs and symptoms are more classic in children but nonspecific in adults. Usually diagnosis is made intraoperatively, while abdomino-pelvic CT scan is the best preoperative imaging modality. Intestinal Intussusception in adults, especially when the colon is involved, is best treated by surgical resection.

Case presentation

A 24 years old previously healthy male with no surgical or documented familial history presenting for severe crampy abdominal pain and distention, obstipation and palpable right lower quadrant abdominal mass. Abdominal Multi-slice CT diagnosed an ileo-colic intussusception without signs of bowel suffering. Laparoscopic ileo-cecetomy. Final Pathology showed a 4 cm cecal tubular adenomatous polyp with multifocal high grade dysplasia.

Conclusion

Intestinal intussusception in adults is an interesting rare entity that have the interest of general surgeons. Malignant lesions can be lead-points and they form a great counterpart among other colonic lesions. Minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery is gaining interest in management, and surgical resection remains the gold standard while reduction before surgery is debatable and can be considered in selected cases.

Current Views in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Intestinal Intussusception

Intestinal intussusceptions most often occur in young dogs and cats. Common locations for intestinal intussusceptions include enterocolic, eneteroenteric or colocolic. Ultrasonography is highly reliable for diagnosing of intussusception and for prediction of its reducibility. Abdominal structures that may mimic intussuception can be seen ultrasonographically. Intussusceptions is a surgical emergency. Immediate stabilization of the animal followed by manual reduction or intestinal excision of the affected intestine through midline celiotomy are required. Recurrence is a common postsurgical complication. Enteroplication may be considered for recurrence prevention but is not without complications. Prognosis is good in uncomplicated cases.

Acute gastroesophageal intussusception in a patient with pneumomediastinum, pneumoperitoneum, and extensive subcutaneous emphysema resulting from iatrogenic colonic perforation

Acute gastroesophageal intussusception is a rare condition in which the stomach invaginates into the adjacent esophagus. We report a case of acute gastroesophageal intussusception with massive pneumomediastinum, pneumoperitoneum, and subcutaneous emphysema, effectively treated with conservative management.

Intermittent adult ileocecal intussusception: a case report and review of literature

We report the case of a 56-year-old male patient who was admitted to the emergency department with crescendo abdominal pain since 2 weeks. In the past 2 years, similar but less pronounced episodes were present, each time resolving spontaneously after spasmolytic drugs. Abdominal ultrasound revealed an ileocecal intussusception. An attempt for preoperative reduction was partially successful. A colonoscopy was performed and showed a tubulovillous adenomatous polyp with high-grade dysplasia, but subsequent right hemicolectomy revealed an underlying cecal adenocarcinoma. The combination of the low incidence and the non-specific symptoms of ileocecal intussusception in the adult makes this entity difficult to diagnose. In most cases, modern imaging techniques such as CT scan, ultrasound, or MRI make the correct preoperative diagnosis. Especially when colonic involvement is present, suspicion of a malignant lead point (i.e. culprit lesion) is primordial. The therapeutic strategy depends on several variables and asks for a patient-tailored, selective approach mostly involving surgery. Based on this case and a short review of literature, we discuss the clinical presentation, diagnostic tools, treatment, and challenges of adult ileocecal intussusception.

Surgical Alternatives in the Treatment of Intestinal Intussusceptions Resulting from Polyps in Adults

Adult intussusception is an uncommon disease requiring surgical intervention. The aim of this study is to discuss the surgical alternatives and share our experience in the treatment of adult patients with intussusceptions formed as a result of polyps. The retrospective study included 16 adult patients who underwent surgery after the diagnosis of intestinal invaginations resulting from polyps between the years 2000 and 2011. Sixteen patients (seven males and nine females; mean age, 48.18 years; range, 18 to 76 years) presented with intestinal intussusceptions. Although a preoperative diagnosis was carried out in 11 (68.75%) patients, the diagnosis was made intra-operatively in five patients (31.25%). Among the patients, seven (43.8%) had undergone emergency surgeries and nine (52.8) had elective surgery. The invagination in 12 patients (75%) was located in the small intestine, in two patients (12.5%) in the colon, and in a further two patients (12.5%), it was ileocecally located. Ten patients (62.5%) had segmental resection 1 anastomosis; three patients underwent (18.8%) segmental resection 1 enterostomy, and three (18.8%) received hemicolectomies. In adults, surgical treatment is always the primary option in intussusceptions resulting from polyps. Although the surgical method of choice in colonically located ones is en bloc resection without reduction, because the polyps located in the small intestine are usually of a benign nature, segmental resection with reduction should be performed in elective surgery and segmental resection without reduction should be performed in emergency cases.

Adult colonic intussusception: Surgery still the best option

Intussusception is the telescoping of proximal bowel wall into the lumen of a distal segment. Whilst it is common in children, intussusception in adults is rare, and predominantly occurs secondary to an underlying malignant neoplasm. Abdominal and pelvic computed tomography (CT) is preferred for detection of lead points and lesion localisation. We present the case of a 79-year-old female with a four-day history of colicky abdominal pain followed by obstipation and distension. CT demonstrated a rounded heterogeneous density protruding into the upper rectal lumen, and also left-sided colonic obstruction. Emergency laparotomy revealed a mid-sigmoid colonic mass intussuscepting into the rectum. Histopathology confirmed a T3N1 moderately differentiated colonic adenocarcinoma. Given the high likelihood of underlying malignancy, surgical reduction of the intussusceptum may be complicated by perforation and tumour spillage. En bloc resection using oncologic surgical principles remains the first line treatment.

[Mechanical obstruction as a cause of acute abdomen. Radiological differential diagnosis]

Mechanical obstruction is a common cause of acute abdomen. Besides the diagnosis of the obstruction itself it is crucial to recognize the cause of the obstruction for planning of conservative or operative treatment.This article gives a general overview of the methods available for imaging obstructions in the setting of an acute abdomen. In the second part the differential diagnoses of the most common causes of obstruction will be discussed.

Cecal intussusception in an adult with Cronkhite-Canada syndrome relieved by colonoscopy

Cronkhite-Canada syndrome (CCS) is a rare, noninherited gastrointestinal polyposis syndrome associated with characteristic ectodermal abnormalities. Here, we report a case of Cronkhite-Canada syndrome with cecal intussusception relieved by colonoscopy. A 52-year-old man who was diagnosed as CCS pathologically two years previously presented abdominal pain and sub fever-up. Physical examination revealed the palpable mass sized approximate 10 cm in diameter in the upper abdominal site, in addition to the symptoms of alopecia, absent fingernails and toenails. However, abdominal wall rigidity and rebound tenderness were never expressed. Abdominal plain CT showed concentric circles from the ascending to the middle of the transverse colon, and a tumor in the lumen at the middle of the transverse colon. Colonoscopic reduction was performed first because we diagnosed it as intussusception due to CCS polyps without peritoneal irritation, and his symptoms were improved dramatically after careful reduction. Therefore, he was able to undergo the laparoscopic ascending colectomy as scheduled.

Can CT features be used to diagnose surgical adult bowel intussusceptions?

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of our study was to identify whether any CT characteristics can be used to diagnose surgical intussusceptions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A search of CT reports on adults revealed 118 patients with 136 intussusceptions. Two blinded readers independently reviewed the CT examinations and documented intussusception characteristics. Medical records were reviewed to determine patient outcome. Performance, interobserver agreement (A), and significance of CT characteristics to identify surgical intussusceptions were calculated.

RESULTS

Of 95,223 CT examinations, 0.13% (121/95,223) documented 136 intussusceptions over a 7-year period, of which 88.2% (120/136) were enteroenteric, 3.7% (5/136) were enterocolic, and 4.4% (6/136) were colocolic lesions or in other locations. Eight (5.9%) were surgical and 128 (94.12%) were nonsurgical lesions. Five of eight (63%) surgical lesions involved the colon. Only two of eight surgical lesions had malignant lead points. The mean sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for diagnosing surgical enteroenteric lesions using a measured lesion length of > 3.5 cm were 100%, 57.3%, 5.7%, and 100% (A = 0.68), respectively. Similar figures using the measured axial diameter > 3 cm were 100%, 32.9%, 3.7% and 100% (A= 0.65), respectively.

CONCLUSION

Surgical intussusceptions in adults are infrequent among the intussusceptions that are detected on CT. Most enteroenteric lesions are nonsurgical lesions, whereas lesions that affect the colon are often surgical. Many nonsurgical enteroenteric intussusceptions are longer than 3.5 cm and thicker than 3 cm, suggesting these CT features may not be useful for diagnosing surgical bowel intussusceptions in adults.

Practical performance of defecography for the evaluation of constipation and incontinence

By opacifying the sigmoid, rectum, and vagina with different barium consistencies and using fluoroscopy to evaluate the mechanics of defecation in a physiologic setting, a wide range of pathologies associated with constipation and incontinence can be diagnosed. This review article discusses the primary indications for fluoroscopic defecography, techniques, common diagnoses, and challenges faced in clinical practice.