Intussusception in Adults

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Intussusception in adults is uncommon and constitutes approximately 5% of all intussusceptions. An organic lesion is found to be the lead point in 75 to 90% of the cases, so surgical intervention is necessary in most cases. This study was designed to review our experience with adult intussusception and to determine an appropriate method for diagnosis and management. METHODS: Thirteen (13) patients over 15 years of age were diagnosed as having on intussusception at our center between 1994 and 2003. We reviewed the medical records of these patients retrospectively. RESULTS: The preoperative diagnosis had been made correctly in 85% of patients (11 cases) by combined use of abdominal ultrasonography and a CT scan. The types of intussusceptions wene jejuno-jejunal in two cases, ileo-ileal in four, ileo-colic in three, and colo-colic in four. Causative organic lesion was found in all patients; seven cases (54%) were due to benign tumors, and six (46%) were due to malignant tumors. Surgical intervention was carried out in all cases; 11 patients underwent a surgical resection without manual reduction, and 2 patients underwent a surgical resection after manual reduction. CONCLUSIONS: Both abdominal ultrasonography and CT scan are effective and useful diagnostic tools in the diagnosis of adult intussusception. Since tumors, benign or malignant, are the most frequent cause of adult intussusception, surgical intervention is mandatory.