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Adult intussusception: presentation, management, and outcomes of 148 patients

Rachel A Lindor1, M Fernanda Bellolio, Annie T Sadosty

  • 1Mayo Medical School, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.

The Journal of Emergency Medicine
|January 17, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Adult intussusception, though rare, often presents with abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Early recognition is crucial as some cases are asymptomatic and may require surgical intervention.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Abdominal Surgery

Background:

  • Intussusception is primarily a pediatric condition, with limited characterization in adults.
  • Undiagnosed adult intussusception can lead to significant morbidity, emphasizing the need for early clinical recognition.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe the clinical presentation, management, disposition, and outcomes of adult intussusception over a 13-year period.
  • To enhance understanding of adult intussusception for improved diagnosis and treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective study of adult intussusception cases at a tertiary academic center (1996-2008).
  • Case identification via International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision codes and document search.
  • Duplicate data abstraction by two independent authors for accuracy.

Main Results:

  • 148 adult patients were analyzed; common symptoms included abdominal pain (72%), nausea (49%), and vomiting (36%).
  • 20% of cases were asymptomatic, often diagnosed incidentally.
  • Patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) had higher rates of symptoms and surgical intervention.

Conclusions:

  • Adult intussusception frequently manifests with abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting, but asymptomatic presentations occur.
  • Identifying a lead point or ileocolonic location increases the likelihood of surgical intervention for adult intussusception.
Abstract

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