Ileocecal intussusception in an adult: a case report

Intussusception is relatively rare in adults and differs from the childhood form in its etiology, presentation and treatment. Unlike childhood intussusception, adult intussusception is usually due to underlying pathologic lead points, most probably neoplasms. The main clinical presentation of intussusception in the adult is chronic abdominal pain, and acute adult intussusception is uncommon. Here, we describe an uncommon case of acute ileocecal intussusception due to ileal lymphoid hyperplasia in a 46-year-old woman. Lymphoid hyperplasia of the intestines is a benign reactive process. Intestinal lymphoid hyperplasia has been reported in association with infections and as an allergic response to various foods. In adults, it has been reported to occur in association with immune deficiencies. There were no obvious causes for this patient's ileal lymphoid hyperplasia. We conclude that physicians need to consider intussusception, due to intestinal lymphoid hyperplasia, as a possible cause of acute abdominal pain in adults, even in the absence of any specific medical history.