Adult Intussusception: An Uncommon Condition and Challenging Management

Small bowel intussusception - aetiology & management

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Adult small bowel intussusception (SBI) differs in incidence, symptomatology and management from the more commonly encountered paediatric intussusception. This review spans across the multitude of causes of adult SBI, and summarises the diagnostic work-up and management options according to recent literature.

RECENT FINDINGS

There has been an increase in use of small bowel capsule endoscopy and point-of-care ultrasound for the diagnosis of acute adult SBI.

SUMMARY

A high degree of suspicion of a malignant cause of SBI is required in the adult population. Alarm clinical features include weight loss, history of malignancy, and iron deficiency anaemia. CT remains the gold standard imaging technique as it may identify the lead point and thus aid in endoscopic or surgical management. If malignancy is excluded and no lead point is identified, serology and histology may be helpful to look for inflammatory, infective and autoimmune aetiology.

Adult colorectal intussusception caused by giant lipoma-A case report

Key Clinical Message

Adult intussusception commonly has a leading point. In the colon, malignancy is a prevalent etiology for the leading point; however, benign tumors should also be considered. We present a case of colorectal intussusception caused by a giant lipoma.

Abstract

Intussusception in adults is comparatively infrequent in contrast to children, and in adult colonic intussusception, malignancy is the predominant cause of the leading point. Lipoma, an uncommon tumor in the gastrointestinal tract, rarely induces colonic intussusception in adults. We present the case of a 55-year-old Cambodian man experiencing cramping abdominal pain. He presented with mild abdominal distension with tenderness in the lower abdomen. On the rectal examination a large palpable mass was detected three to four centimeters from the anal verge. Abdominal computerized tomography revealed a collapsed sigmoid colon with mesenteric fat invaginated into the lumen of the upper rectum. Emergency laparotomy was performed and during the surgery the sigmoid intussusception spontaneously reduced. A mass was identified in the mid-sigmoid colon, leading to the decision for segmental resection of the sigmoid colon with the mass and subsequent end-to-end anastomosis. Histological examination results confirmed the mass as a lipoma. Colorectal intussusception in adults due to a lipoma is a relatively rare, with only a few reported cases in the literature.

An Unusual Presentation of Adult Intussusception

Intussusception is a condition characterized by the invagination of a proximal segment of the intestine into a distal segment. In adults, intussusception is commonly associated with a lead point. The most alarming lead point is an obstructing malignancy. Here, we present the case of a 57-year-old woman with ileocolic intussusception secondary to colonic adenocarcinoma. The patient presented to the emergency department following an incidental finding of bradycardia, with a heart rate of around 40 beats per minute. She presented with several weeks of cramping, right lower quadrant abdominal pain, lightheadedness, fatigue, and palpitations. A computed tomography scan revealed ileocolic intussusception. After the placement of a semi-permanent right subclavian pacer, the patient underwent a right hemicolectomy. Surgical findings were consistent with ileocolic intussusception suspicious of being initiated by a mass in the right cecum involving the appendiceal orifice and ileocecal valve that invaded through the muscularis propria into subserosal tissue. The mass was resected and sent to pathology, where it was classified as stage II colonic adenocarcinoma. This case highlights a nonspecific presentation of intussusception that was only identified due to incidental bradycardia.

Adult sigmoid intussusception resembling rectal prolapse: A case report

BACKGROUND

Rectal prolapse arises from benign etiology. When symptoms of internal intussusception mirror those of rectal prolapse, a misdiagnosis is possible, especially under limited clinical presentation. It is crucial to recognize and differentiate rectal prolapse from internal intussusception because the two diagnoses have different prognoses. Here, we describe a case of adult sigmoid intussusception presenting as rectal prolapse.

CASE SUMMARY

A 64-year-old woman with no known medical history visited a gastrointestinal outpatient department due to hard bloody stool defecation for 1 wk followed by constipation for 3 d. Colonoscopy revealed a huge polypoid ulcerated tumor at the sigmoid colon with lumen stenosis. The patient was admitted due to post-procedural dull abdominal pain. Due to failed colonoscopy reduction and stent insertion, the patient underwent sigmoid colon resection with primary end-to-end anastomosis, with the transverse colostomy pathological report showing adenocarcinoma, pT3N0M0. She recovered well from the operation and was discharged with regular outpatient clinic follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Presentation and manifestation of sigmoid intussusception may resemble that of rectal prolapse, necessitating careful observation due to distinct prognostic implications.

Metastatic Uterine Leiomyosarcoma presenting as small bowel intussusception at two independent visits

•Metastatic disease to the small bowel may present with intussusception.•Clinical decision making for malignant bowel obstruction is difficult and individual specific.•Malignant bowel obstruction due to metastatic year has an average life expectancy of less than 200 days.

Adult intussusception with multiple intestinal adhesions: A case report

Intussusception occurs when a part of the intestine enters another segment of the intestine causing bowel obstruction. It is common in children but not in adults with only <5% of prevalence of all intussusceptions. Most of the cases have an underlying neoplastic pathology. However, we found a case where an adult patient with 2 weeks of ileus obstruction is caused by intussusception with multiple intestinal adhesions. A 59-year-old man complained of being unable to defecate, or vomit and had a tender abdomen for 2 weeks. Contrast abdominal CT showed a dilated and thickened intestinal wall, with ileo-ileal intussusception in the distal terminal ileum, indicating a diagnosis of ileus obstruction due to intussusception. During laparotomy, intussusception was found but released spontaneously followed by ancillary findings were multiple adhesions in the ileum that caused the intussusception and obstruction. In conclusion, transient intussusception in adults with multiple adhesions has never been reported before, and a CT scan is an important clinical tool to diagnose and identify the cause of this condition. Recognizing the imaging abnormalities earlier is important to prevent further complications.

Isolated adult ileocecal intussusception in sigmoid colon due to non-specific inflammation

Adult ileocecal intussusception due to non-specific inflammation is a rare condition. Intussusception is the intestinal segment telescoping into the adjacent intestinal lumen. Typically, a pathological lesion is discovered with a high percentage of malignancy. Intussusception of the most common ileocolic kind includes the appendix, but it is uncommon for an appendix to serve as the lead point. The patient was admitted to the emergency department with a complaint of acute intestinal obstruction. After getting a diagnostic workup, an exploratory laparotomy was done, and the ileocecal and ascending colon segment was intussuscepted directly into the sigmoid colon. Transverse and descending colon were normal, and resection of necrosed intussuscepted bowel, primary repair of sigmoid colon with ileostomy with transverse colon as distal mucus fistula done, after the 3-month restoration of bowel continuity done, patient discharged and doing well. After the diagnosis of intussusception, the best surgical choice is in the hands of an experienced surgeon.

The Management of Intussusception: A Systematic Review

Intussusception (ISN) is a dangerous condition where a portion of the intestine slides into an adjacent area of the intestine. This telescoping motion frequently prevents liquids or food from flowing through. Developing management guidelines for ileocolic (IC) intussusception was the aim of this systematic study. Data sources were PubMed/Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE), Scopus, and Embase databases. Our review investigated English-language articles (from 2010 to 2023) according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Overall, there were 15 articles. Surveys and analyses of national databases were the most widely used methods (n=15). The search identified 561 studies; 15 were eligible for inclusion in the analysis. Further understanding of the management of intussusception may help improve evaluation and management in the future. The use of preventive antibiotics does not reduce problems following radiologic reduction. When clinically appropriate, repeated attempts at enema reduction may be made. After the enema reduction of ileocolic intussusception, patients can be safely watched in the emergency room (ER), thereby avoiding hospitalization. Success rates for laparoscopic reduction are high. When it comes to intussusception in children who are hemodynamically stable and do not have a serious illness, there is no need for pre-reduction antibiotics. Prioritizing nonoperative outpatient (OP) therapy is recommended as the primary approach, with the utilization of minimally invasive procedures to avoid the necessity for laparotomy. The management of colonic intussusception involves complete removal in one piece, while enteric intussusception can be addressed through reduction followed by resection. A targeted approach is recommended, recognizing the intermediate forms of intussusception that may exist between the colonic and enteric types. It is essential to note that the prevailing treatment for adult intussusception remains to be surgical intervention.

Sizzling Fat-Curative Endoscopic Resection of a Giant Lipoma Causing Colo-Colic Intussusception

Giant colonic lipomas, tumors that infrequently occur in the gastrointestinal tract, can manifest as bleeding, abdominal pain and, in few cases, obstruction with intussusception. Surgery is usually the treatment of choice. We report the case of a 78 years-old woman with abdominal pain, constipation, and bleeding due to a giant lipoma of the sigmoid colon causing intussusception. After an initial diagnostic colonoscopy, the patient underwent an endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) without complications. Even if surgery is traditionally the primary therapeutic approach for giant colonic lipomas, selected cases can be successfully treated with EMR.

Colo-colonic intussusception secondary to a lipomatous lesion in an asymptomatic patient

Colo-colonic intussusception is a rare clinical condition in adults. The predominant aetiology of intussusception in adults is a pathological lead point, with malignant lesions being the most common type. Lipomas are benign tumours of adipocytes that can sometimes be difficult to diagnose without histopathological confirmation as we highlight with this case report. We report a case of an asymptomatic female patient in her 50s who presented with an intussusception due to a giant colonic lipoma. Her CT imaging showed the possibility of a low-grade liposarcomatous component or atypical lipomatous tumour component. A laparoscopic right hemicolectomy was performed due to intussusception with the possibility of leading to colonic obstruction as well as diagnostic uncertainty of the risk of malignancy. Histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of a lipomatous lesion. In cases such as this, early surgical management is appropriate to rule out malignancy and prevent emergency presentation and surgery.

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor presenting as ileocolic intussusception: A case report

Key Clinical Message

The report urges considering rare neoplastic tumor, like IMT, in intussusception cases and underscores the vital role of comprehensive and swift diagnosis in influencing treatment choices and patient results.

Abstract

We present a case of a 36-year-old male who presented with abdominal pain and vomiting. Inflammatory markers were elevated in routine investigations, while other laboratory parameters were within normal limits. Ultrasound imaging revealed a target lesion, which required further evaluation with a CT scan and confirmed ileocolic intussusception. An exploratory laparotomy showed a solid lesion measuring 5 by 6 cm in the cecum, along with evidence of ileocolic intussusception. A standard right hemicolectomy was performed, and the postoperative course was uneventful. Histopathological examination showed an inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor with nodular hyperplasia. The report highlighted the importance of assessing rare neoplastic causes in patients with intussusception.

Ileocecal intussusception as presentation for ascending colon carcinoma. Case report

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE

Intussusception is described as invagination of a segment of the bowel into the lumen of an adjacent segment. Although it is the most frequent cause of intestine obstruction during childhood, it is unusual in adulthood, where intussusception represents 1% of all intestine obstructions and 5 % of all intussusceptions.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 64-year-old female presented with a history of weight loss, intermittent diarrhea, and occasional transrectal bleeding. An abdominal computed tomography (CT scan) was performed showing a neoproliferative appearance and associated intussusception of the ascending colon. Colonoscopy revealed an ileocecal intussusception and a tumor on the ascending colon. Right hemicolectomy was performed. Histopathological findings were consistent with colon adenocarcinoma.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

Adults have an organic lesion within the intussusception in up to 70 % of cases. The clinical presentation of intussusception can vary significantly between children and adults, who will often exhibit chronic nonspecific symptoms including nausea, changes in bowel habits, and gastrointestinal bleeding. The imaging diagnosis of intussusception is a difficult subject, the basis for the diagnosis is a high index of clinical suspicion and noninvasive techniques.

CONCLUSION

Intussusception is an extremely rare condition in adults, in this age group, the malignant entity is one of the main etiologies. Intussusception continues to be a rare entity and should be considered as a differential diagnosis of chronic abdominal pain and intestinal motility disorders; the treatment of choice continues to be surgical.

A Rare Case of Spontaneous Intussusception in an Elderly Patient

Intussusception is an uncommon pathology in the adult population. Most intussusception cases result from an underlying pathological lead point, oftentimes a malignant neoplasm. We report a case of intussusception in an adult male patient who presented with abdominal pain and currant jelly diarrhea. The patient underwent laparoscopic right hemicolectomy and the biopsy of the affected colon did not show any pathological lead point. Intussusception remains an important differential diagnosis in patients presenting with abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea.

Postoperative intussusception: a rare but critical complication in adult patients with Crohn's disease - case report and literature review

Objectives

Postoperative entero-enteric intussusception is a rare complication in adult patients with Crohn's disease (CD). The knowledge of this distinct complication and its timely diagnosis and therapy are of utmost importance to prevent fatal intestinal necrosis. There is no consensus about the optimal management of postoperative entero-enteric intussusception, although surgical exploration is widely advised.

Case presentation

In this report we describe an unusual case of postoperative jejuno-jejunal intussusception following small bowel resection in a patient with stricturing CD. Furthermore, this report offers an overview of the available literature and summarizes the best approach and management strategies for adult intussusception associated with CD.

Conclusions

Delay in diagnosis and therapy can lead to life-threatening complications. Early diagnosis and emergent surgical treatment prevent intestinal necrosis and reduce the risk of short bowel syndrome.

Predictors of malignant intussusception in adults using clinical manifestations and multidetector computed tomographic findings

PURPOSE

To investigate the diagnostic performance of clinical manifestations and multidetector computed tomographic (MDCT) features in detecting predictors of malignant intussusception in adults.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 88 adults with 91 intussusceptions who were diagnosed by MDCT. Their clinical manifestations and MDCT features were reviewed and compared between the malignant and benign groups. Uni- and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify independent predictors of malignant intussusception.

RESULTS

There were 61 patients in the malignant group and 27 patients in the benign group. The malignant group had older age (mean, 62.61 vs 54.22 years, P = 0.014), more colon-related intussusception (89.06% vs 55.56%, P < 0.001), shorter intussusception length (median, 6.53 vs 9.73 cm, P = 0.009), higher maximum short axis diameter (mean, 4.85 vs 4.10 cm, P = 0.001), more enlarged lymph nodes (40.63% vs 11.11%, P = 0.006) than the benign group. Lead points were mainly presented as masses, which were irregular (44.74%) and lobular (28.95%) in the malignant group, and round or oval (92.00%) in the benign group. On the unenhanced MDCT, 90.62% of them in the malignant group showed non-hypodense. Multivariate analysis showed that intussusception length (P = 0.013), maximum short axis diameter (P = 0.007), non-round/oval lead point (P < 0.001) and non-hypodense lead point (P = 0.030) were independent factors of malignant intussusception.

CONCLUSION

Malignant intussusception can be identified using independent predictors such as intussusception length, maximum short axis diameter, non-round/oval and non-hypodense lead point. When integrating these four factors, radiologists can make qualitative diagnoses withhigher sensitivity and specificity, allowing clinicians to develop more appropriate treatments.

Jejunojejunal intussusception with chronic bleeding caused by gastrointestinal stromal tumor: a case report and literature review

Background

Intussusception is a rare clinical condition in adults. The majority of patients present with symptoms of bowel obstruction. Intussusception is often misdiagnosed and the majority of cases are diagnosed intraoperatively. In this paper, we present a rare case of adult jejunojejunal intussusception with chronic bleeding caused by a gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). We emphasize the role of contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) and enteroscopy in the presurgical diagnosis and the good prognosis in the high-risk GIST patient after surgery and targeted therapy.

Case Description

Herein, we present the case of a 63-year-old female patient with small bowel intussusception with chronic bleeding caused by a GIST. Her main symptoms were intermittent melena and progressive anemia. She had a 20-year history of hypertension and had never undergone previous abdominal surgery. After failure of an esophagogastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy to locate the hemorrhagic foci in the gastrointestinal tract, contrast-enhanced CT and enteroscopy were used and a small bowel intussusception and an intraluminal mass with a bleeding ulcer was identified. The patient underwent laparoscopic partial small bowel resection, and postoperative pathological examinations showed a small intestinal GIST with a high risk of recurrence. It was suggested that the patient take imatinib regularly for at least 3 years. At the time of writing, she has remained in good health without relapse for 24 months after discharge. We also review 20 published cases of intussusception caused by small bowel GIST in the PubMed database.

Conclusions

Obscure gastrointestinal hemorrhage needs meticulous examinations to promptly determine the cause and location of bleeding. This case and literature review revealed that comprehensive surgical resection-centered treatment was the standard treatment for primary localized GISTs in patients at significant risk of relapse.

A Rare Case of Signet Ring Cell Colon Cancer Presenting as Adult Colorectal Intussusception

Signet ring cell carcinoma of the rectum is rare and typically presents with advanced disease. We report a case of a 68-year-old man who presented with left lower quadrant pain and was found to have signet ring cell carcinoma with intussusception. This case is unusual because of its polypoid growth pattern and apparent early pathological stage. We discuss the differential diagnoses and prognosis.