Intussusception: Not just a disease of infants

Abstract

Adult intussusception is a challenging disease that occurs infrequently, and differs in presentation, etiology, and management from childhood intussusception. In fact, it accounts only for just 5% of all intussusceptions with approximately 1% of cases causing intestinal obstruction. The diagnosis in adults is often delayed as symptoms are non-specific and of intermittent nature. When present, these symptoms may include abdominal pain as well as nausea and vomiting. This article focuses on the importance of considering the diagnosis of intussusception in adult patients with relatively uncommon presentations such as hematochezia.

Incarcerated Prolapsed Sigmoid Intussusception Presenting as Rectal Prolapse Without a Lead Point

“…In adults, the symptoms may consist of abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, vomiting and painful or painless haematochezia. The presentation can be acute with partial or complete intestinal obstruction or subacute with intermittent abdominal pain occurring for months 3. The diagnosis is typically elucidated by abdominal imaging, which can show a target or doughnut sign with mesenteric fat and/or vessels visible within the lumen on axial images or show the telescoping segment on coronal images 4.…”