Transient jejuno-jejunal intussusception in an anabolic steroid user-A case report

Adult intussusception (AI) is both a challenging and rare diagnosis, with predisposing factors including malignancy, surgery and infection to name a few. Transient jejunal intussusception is a subset of AI which is usually diagnosed radiologically, with diagnostic laparoscopy utilised to determine whether a malignant cause is identifiable and subsequently treatable.

We present the case of a previously healthy 36-year-old male diagnosed with transient jejunal intussusception on computed tomography after presenting with abdominal pain. Blood tests on admission were normal apart from polycythaemia. His only significant history was that of chronic anabolic steroid use. He had a subsequent normal gastroscopy and colonoscopy with diagnostic laparoscopy demonstrating thickening of the small bowel. Histopathological analysis of the intraoperative specimen was normal. The patient improved and was discharged with no further complications.

This case highlights the potential association between anabolic steroid use resulting in polycythaemia, and AI or transient jejunal intussusception, along with further validating a conservative approach in the management of AI in patients deemed to be low risk of malignancy on pre-operative evaluation.