Adult Ileocolic Intussusception Caused by a Submural Ileal Lipoma

Abstract

Ileocecal intussusception in adults is a rare type of prolapse of the ileum through the ileocecal valve. It accounts for 15% of all cases of intussusception and can be caused by benign or malignant lesions. Intestinal lipomas comprise 10% of all benign intestinal tumors and are usually submucosal. The clinical presentation and management of this condition differs in adults from that in childhood. A 49-year-old woman was admitted as an emergency, complaining of abdominal pain with nausea and vomiting. A computed tomographic (CT) scan showed ileocecal intussusception up to the hepatic flexure, with a submural lipoma as the lead point. On emergency laparotomy the intussusception was confirmed and was treated by right hemicolectomy. Histopathological examination of the resected specimen confirmed the diagnosis of the lead point as submural lipoma. Ileocecal intussusception in adults due to submural lipoma is a rare condition. Because of its nonspecific clinical findings, CT scan is the imaging modality of choice for confirmation of the diagnosis. Surgical treatment is mandatory, via laparotomy, or in selected cases, laparoscopically.