Intussusception after Colonoscopy: A Case Report and Review of Literature

Abstract

Intussusception after colonoscopy is an unusual complication. A MEDLINE search revealed only 7 reported cases. We present a report of a 28-year-old man who developed abdominal pain several hours after routine colonoscopy and in whom computed tomography (CT) revealed colocolic intussusception. We postulate that this condition is iatrogenic and induced by suctioning of gas on withdrawal of the colonoscope. A common observation among the reported cases was abdominal pain several hours after colonoscopy and right-sided intussusception. All cases had colonoscopy reaching the right side of the colon. Treatment for adult intussusception remains controversial with regard to reduction versus resection, especially given the high association with a pathological cause and malignancy. Among the 8 reported cases, only the current case did not require surgery. A combination of benign colonoscopy, CT, and the clinical picture should provide sufficient information to initially choose a more conservative treatment approach.

Cecal Intussusception Diagnosed by Total Colonoscopy in a Child: A Case Report

“…Tafner et al ( 17 ) reported that 20 of 30 pediatric intussusception patients could be safely reduced by colonoscopy, and this method is safe because it is non-invasive and the intestine can be directly observed. On the other hand, it has been reported that intestinal intussusception develops iatrogenically after TCS, and further investigation is required for the reduction in intussusception on TCS ( 18 – 20 ).…”

Intussusception in a Routine Colonoscopy

“… 2 One possible mechanism is a “vacuum effect” that may be induced during the concomitant aspiration of gas and retrieval of the colonoscope, which creates the possibility for a segment of proximal bowel to invaginate on a segment of distal bowel. 4 , 5 …”

Transient Sigmoidorectal Intussusception Simulating Submucosal Tumor in a Healthy Woman: An Unusual Case and Review of the Literature

“…Intussusception results from the change of normal peristalsis by a lesion in the gut wall that induces invagination; it is demarcated as the invagination of one segment of the bowel into an immediately adjacent segment. The intussusceptum denotes the proximal segment that invaginates into the distal segment, or the intussuscipiens (recipient segment) [7].…”