Forshal type IE appendiceal intussusception: A case report

Appendiceal intussusception is a rare condition. Clinical features are not specific for it. Patients may present with abdominal pain and vomiting. These symptoms represent a variety of abdominal pathology. Preoperative diagnosis is difficult because of the non-specific clinical features. We present a case report of a child who initially presented with ileocolic intussusception.

This is a case report of a 5-years-old boy with abdominal pain and vomiting. He had an ileocolic intussusception 2 days back, and was successfully managed by hydrostatic reduction and discharged. On ultrasonography, an intussusception was identified in the ileocaecal region. Hydrostatic reduction failed this time and laparotomy was performed. On laparotomy, there was complete intussusception of the appendix with normal ileocaecal junction. Appendectomy was performed. Post-operative period was uneventful.

Appendiceal intussusceptions are mostly diagnosed intra-operatively. The clinical features may mimic various other acute and chronic abdominal conditions. Type IE appendiceal intussusception, as described by Forshal, is a rare condition. Appendectomy with a rim of the caecum is the procedure of choice.

Though ileocaecal intussusceptions are common in children, appendiceal intussusceptions are rare and are usually diagnosed during the operative procedure. Radiologists and pediatric surgeons should be aware of this rare entity. Appendectomy is the treatment of choice in most of the appendiceal intussusceptions.