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Intussusception is defined as invagination of an intestinal segment with its mesentery as a result of peristalsis into the intestinal lumen. In most cases, the causes of colic intussusception in adults are malignant disease, whereas the causes of small bowel intussusception are frequently benign (lipoma, polyps, adenomas, and Meckel’s diverticulum) (1). It was first defined in 1674 by Barbette and Sir Jonathan Hutchinson was the first to operate on a child with intussusception in 1871 (2). Intestinal intussusception in adults is considered as an unusual pathology and represents 5% of the total cases of intestinal intussusception (children and adults) and 1%–5% of all cases of intestinal obstruction (3). Intussusceptions are classified along with their locations into four categories: enteroenteric, colocolic, ileocolic, and ileocecal (4).
Computed tomography (CT) is the most sensitive diagnostic method for intussusceptions. All researchers report that surgery is the most effective treatment for adult intussusceptions (5). We described the diagnosis and treatment of intestinal intussusception in adults.
Case Presentation
Case 1
A 44-year-old man was admitted to the emergency department with three months history of intermittent lower right abdominal pain and nausea. He also had a history of obstipation and constipation. These symptoms worsened over the past three days. He had no operation history. There was no familial history of any disease. On physical examination, the abdomen was minimally distended and tender. In the right lower quadrant, an approximately 8 cm diameter mass was palpated with a deep palpation. The results of routine laboratory examinations were within the normal limit. The abdominal X-ray showed dilated loops of the small intestine, which was indicated as an obstructive pattern. After resuscitation, a CT scan was performed, which showed dilatation of small intestine because of ileocecal invagination. On exploratory laparotomy, an ileocecal intussusception was found (Figure 1). After manual reduction, a 6-cm diameter properly limited mass was palpated in the cecum (Figure 2). Right hemicolectomy and end-to-side ileotransversostomy were performed. The postoperative duration was uneventful, and he was discharged seven days after surgery. On the gross...