Radiology case of the month: two adults with intermittent abdominal pain
Haile, M.; Hanemann, C.; Neitzschman, H.
Journal of the Louisiana State Medical Society official organ of the Louisiana State Medical Society 164(3): 160
2012
ISSN/ISBN: 0024-6921 PMID: 22866357 Document Number: 659237
Though usually thought of as a pediatric entity, intussusception may occur in adults, which account for 5% of cases. Intussusception may result from a pathologic lead point facilitating the process or may occur with no such lead point. As opposed to idiopathic predominance in children, most adult intussusception involves a lead point. Generally, large bowel lead points are more likely to be malignant than small bowel lead points. Clinical presentations of intussusception may be nonspecific, thus radiologic evaluation plays an essential role in diagnosis. Findings at computerized tomography (CT) include a target or sausage-shaped mass with or without signs of bowel obstruction. Treatment is aimed at relieving any obstruction and identifying potential causes of the intussusception.