A Case of Adult Intussusception

Abstract

Introduction: A 38-year-old Indian man with B-cell adult lymphocytic leukemia on chemotherapy was admitted with diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and worsening abdominal pain. On presentation, a CT of his abdomen and pelvis found a mild colonic and small bowel distention. The patient was managed with IV fluid hydration and pain medication, and his symptoms improved. Three days later, the patient developed severe colicky abdominal pain. On abdominal exam, he had peri-umbilical tenderness with guarding. The patient was neutropenic and thrombocytopenic throughout his hospital stay, with a WBC of 500/μL and platelets of 16000/μL. Given his acute change in symptoms, another CT scan was performed, which showed small bowel intussusception. Surgery evaluated the patient, and given his neutropenia and thrombocytopenia, opted for conservative management. Five days later, the patient had a repeat CT scan that showed resolution of the intussusception and the patient was eventually discharged home and continued on his chemotherapy regimen. Intestinal invagination or intussusception is the leading cause of intestinal obstruction in children. Intussusception in adults accounts for only 5% of intussuception cases. Intussusception can present as acute, intermittent, cramping, and abdominal pain with nausea and vomiting; however, vague abdominal symptoms is a common presentation. While in children, 95% of cases are idiopathic, about 90% of causes of intussusception in adults are due to a distinct pathologic abnormality. In the small bowel, this consists of benign neoplasms, inflammatory lesions, and adhesions. Malignant lesions are found in only 30% of cases of intussusception in the small intestine, in contrast to 60% in colonic intussusception. Abdominal x-rays often show signs of intestinal obstruction, and can give information regarding the site of obstruction. CT has been reported to be the most useful diagnostic tool for the diagnosis of intussusception, with an accuracy of 58-100% with a finding of a homogenous mass that is target or sausage-shaped. The optimal management of adult intussusception is controversial, particularly in the small bowel. While resection of colonic intussusception is generally advocated due to the high percentage of associated malignancies, small bowel intussusception is less commonly due to malignancy, and thus intraoperative manual reduction with careful palpation of the intestinal wall might allow for limited bowel resection. Intussusception in adults is rare, and can present with non-specific abdominal complaints. Gastroenterologists should be aware of this rare condition for abdominal pain and the current treatment methods.