Adult intussusception secondary to an appendiceal tumour in a patient with ulcerative colitis: a case report

Intussusception in adult patients is uncommon and appendiceal lead points are particularly rare.

We present the case of a 42-year-old male with a history of ulcerative colitis, presenting with sudden onset abdominal pain and bloody diarrhoea. Endoscopy revealed grossly normal mucosa in the descending colon with a congested polypoid mass in the proximal transverse colon. Computed tomography revealed ileocecal intussusception at the hepatic flexure. A right hemicolectomy was performed, where a grossly dilated appendix was noted, resected and sent for histopathological evaluation. Results revealed low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm. Post-operatively, the patient remained symptom free, however required reintroduction of biologic therapy due to relapse of his ulcerative colitis 12 weeks later.

This case depicts a rare acute surgical presentation and reminds physicians and surgeons of the importance of 'thinking outside the box' in clinical practice.