Telescoping into Adulthood: A Case Report of Intussusception in an Adult Patient

Intussusception is a familiar diagnosis among the pediatric population; however, it is rarely considered among the adult population due to a myriad of life-threatening pathologies within the abdomen. We present an adult female who presented to the emergency department (ED) with abdominal pain and constipation. Laboratory testing and a computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen were ordered. Laboratory test results were notable for an elevated lymphocyte count as well as leukocyte esterase, white blood cells (WBC), and bacteria seen on urinalysis. The computed tomography scan detected a colo-colic intussusception secondary to a benign mass within the bowel lumen. The mass was surgically resected and the patient had an uneventful postoperative course. This unique case represents the occurrence of a pathology to which the adult population is not immune, and therefore should not be overlooked when evaluating a non-specific case of abdominal pain.

Intussusception, colo-colic, obstruction, abdominal pain, constipation, female, mass, bowel, lymphocyte, ultrasound, computed tomography.