Colocolic intussusception in a three-year-old child caused by a colonic polyp

Colocolic intussusception is an uncommon cause of pediatric intestinal obstruction in North America; 95% of cases are ileocolic in location, with an equal percentage in which no pathologic lead point is evident on barium enema or laparotomy. In the last 20 years less than 3% of approximately 32,500 reported cases of intussusception originated in the colon. In a significant number of these cases juvenile polyps were identified as leading points. The majority of juvenile polyps occur in the rectosigmoid colon within the reach of a standard pediatric sigmoidoscope. These tumors most often cause painless hematochezia. Occasionally, juvenile polyps may grow large and serve as lead points for colocolic intussusception when located in the proximal colon. Pediatric patients presenting with documented colocolic intussusception should suggest the possibility of a colonic polyp or other mass lesion. Careful physical examination and barium studies should provide important diagnostic clues. Treatment is aimed at removing the lead point in patients presenting with intestinal obstruction. Colonoscopic polypectomy performed by an experienced endoscopist may serve as an alternative to surgical removal of the polyp. We report a case in a three-old-child of colocolic intussusception caused by a colonic polyp, and review some of the salient features of this clinical entity.