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[Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma as a cause of intussusception in children]
P López Alvarez-Buhilla1, G Idígoras, C Torres
1Servicio de Cirugía Pediátrica, Hospital Infantil, Ciudad Sanitaria de Cruces, Baracaldo, Vizcaya.
Insights
Pediatric non-Hodgkin
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Gastrointestinal Surgery
Background:
- Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) can present atypically in children.
- Intussusception is a common pediatric surgical emergency, but can be a rare presenting sign of abdominal lymphoma.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the association between intussusception and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in children.
- To emphasize the importance of considering intestinal lymphoma in the differential diagnosis of intussusception in older children.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 35 children treated for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma between 1972 and 1985.
- Analysis of presenting symptoms, radiographic findings, and treatment outcomes, with a focus on cases of intussusception.
Main Results:
- Three children (ages 5-10) presented with intussusception secondary to undiagnosed abdominal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
- Failure to recognize the lymphoma-intussusception link can lead to inadequate surgical management.
Conclusions:
- Children around 6 years old with abdominal pain, bloody stools, a palpable mass, and radiographic evidence of intussusception should be evaluated for intestinal lymphoma.
- Early recognition of this association is crucial for appropriate diagnosis and treatment of pediatric non-Hodgkin's lymphoma presenting as intussusception.
Abstract:
From 1972 to 1985, a total of 35 children with histological diagnosis of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were treated. A previously undiagnosed abdominal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma produced intussusception in three of these children between 5 and 10 years of age. Our experience indicates that any child around 6 years of age with abdominal pain, bloody stools and a palpable mass plus radiographic evidence of intussusception should be considered to have an intestinal wall lymphoma until proven otherwise. Inadequate surgical treatment may result from failure to recognize relationship between intussusception and lymphoma in older child.