Peutz-jeghers Syndrome in a Child Presenting with Acute Abdomen: A Case Report

Uncommon manifestation of Peutz-Jeghers syndrome: a case of jejuno-jejunal intussusception and volvulus leading to small bowel obstruction

Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS) is a rare genetic disorder causing gastrointestinal polyps and skin pigmentation. Our case report highlights a unique instance of jejuno-jejunal intussusception associated with PJS in a 28-year-old female patient who presented to the emergency department with colicky abdominal pain, tachycardia, and gastrointestinal symptoms. Physical examination revealed mucocutaneous hyperpigmentation. Imaging studies showed a U-shaped distension in the jejunum with thickening and pneumatosis. Laparotomy revealed a jejuno-jejunal volvulus with intussusception. Surgical resection successfully addressed gangrenous jejunal tissue and ileal polyps. Histopathology confirmed PJS polyps. Postoperatively, the patient recovered well and was discharged. Family history revealed similar skin lesions in her uncle. Our case highlights the need for prompt surgical intervention to address complications associated with PJS and elucidates a unique presentation of PJS involving jejuno-jejunal intussusception and volvulus leading to complete small bowel obstruction. We aim to deepen understanding and prompt discussions on optimal therapeutic strategies.

Peutz-Jeghers syndrome in a woman presenting as intussusception: A case report

INTRODUCTION

Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS) is an uncommon autosomal dominant syndrome with a variable to high penetrance that leads to the development of polyps within the gastrointestinal mucosa. Here we report a case of an adult female suffering jejunoileal intussusception due to PJS.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

A 30-year-old woman came to an emergency department with a small bowel obstruction caused by intussusception. The patient underwent an emergency exploratory laparotomy. An intussusception at the level of 60 cm from the ligamentum treitz was revealed, and the intussusception small bowel segment was not viable; we decided to perform segmental jejunoileal resection with the Bishop-Koop procedure, and the specimen histopathology of the segmental jejunoileal resection showed a typical hamartomatous polyp features. Two month later, diagnostic endoscopy showed multiple polyps (between 5 and 15 mm) in the large bowel. The polyps were removed with endoscopic polypectomy and examined histopathologically, showing characteristics of PJS. Further detailed family history was obtained, and similar skin lesions were detected on our patient's child (since birth). Although endoscopy screening identified multiple polyps in the child's ileum and large bowel, he was not suffering from abdominal symptoms.

CONCLUSION

In patients with intussusception at a young age, PJS can be caused by the presence of a hamartoma polyp as a trigger for intussusception. If there are multiple polyps found in the gastrointestinal mucosa and other pathognomonic signs are found, such as hyperdense macular lesions on the lip and buccal mucosa, such cases should be confirmed as PJS.