Colon Lipoma Causing Colo-Colic Intussusception in an Adult: A Case Report from Tanzania

Abstract

Intussusception is rarely seen in adulthood but is commonly seen in the pediatric age group. Causes of intussusception in adults are commonly due to tumors and inflammatory diseases. Intussusception in adults accounts for less than 5% of intestinal obstruction. Colonic lipomas are usually asymptomatic and are mostly managed surgically with promising outcomes as seen in our case.

Giant Lipoma of the Bauhin’s Valve

“…Although theoretically they can be found anywhere along the digestive tract, from the hypopharynx to the rectum, these tumors are more frequent in the large intestine, rarer in the small intestine and very rare in the esophagus and stomach. The most common clinical manifestations are intussusception, followed by gastrointestinal bleeding when the lining mucosa is ulcerated and intestinal obstruction in the case of large lipomas [ 4 , 5 , 6 ]. The symptoms are not specific and often these are not taken into account when a patient arrives in the Emergency Department and when being subsequently diagnosed endoscopically or by medical imaging; they are also discovered during surgery.…”