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The Malingering Intussusception
Jacqueline Le1, Joel Labha2, Babak Khazaeni1
1Desert Regional Medical Center, Department of Emergency Medicine, Palm Springs, California.
Clinical Practice and Cases in Emergency Medicine
|June 1, 2018
Summary
Transient intussusception is a rare, non-obstructive finding in adults, often incidentally discovered on computed tomography (CT) scans. This benign condition, presenting as a "target pattern," typically requires no surgical intervention.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Radiology
- Emergency Medicine
Background:
- Intussusception is uncommon in adults and usually causes bowel obstruction.
- Transient intussusception is even rarer, lacking a lead point or obstruction signs.
Observation:
- A 31-year-old female presented with abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea.
- Computed tomography (CT) imaging revealed a "target pattern" consistent with transient intussusception.
Findings:
- The CT findings indicated transient intussusception, a benign condition.
- No radiological lead point or evidence of bowel obstruction was identified.
Implications:
- Transient intussusception is an incidental finding that does not necessitate surgical treatment.
- This case highlights a rare condition not widely documented in emergency medicine literature.
- Recognition of this benign finding can prevent unnecessary interventions.
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