Abstract

Ken Udoji, James Lucocq and Darren J. Porter*

ABSTRACT

Adult intussusception occurs infrequently and differs from childhood intussusception in its presentation, aetiology and treatment. Diagnosis can be delayed because of its longstanding, intermittent, and non - specific symptoms and most cases are diagnosed at emergency laparotomy. With more frequent use of computed tomography (CT) in the evaluation of patients with abdominal pain, the condition can be diagnosed more reliably. Treatment involves simple bowel resection in most cases. Reduction of the intussusception before resection is controversial, but there is a shift against this, especially in colonic cases. Surgery is the mainstay of treatment in adult intussusception. This paper discusses the clinical presentation, investigations and management of an adult patient with intussusception of the caecum, and ascending colon into the transverse colon secondary to a caecal adenocarcinoma.