Intussusception of the appendix secondary to endometriosis: a case report

Intussusception of the appendiceal endometriosis is rare. Although approximately 200 cases of appendiceal intussusception have been reported in the literature, very few have ever been diagnosed preoperatively. Here, we report the case of intussusception of the appendiceal endometriosis with laparoscopic ileocecal resection.

A woman in her 50s presented to the out-patients clinic with epigastric pain lasting for a several month. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scanning revealed ileocolic intussusception in which a cecum polypoid mass lesion extended to the hepatic flexure of the ascending colon. A colonoscopy showed a large pedunculated polyp in the cecum. Laparoscopic ileocecal resection was performed. Pathology confirmed an invaginated appendix demonstrating endometriosis implants.

Possible intrinsic causes of intussusception are varied, appendiceal intussusception secondary to endometriosis is extremely rare. Intussusception of the appendix is a rare finding, often mistaken for a polyp. We suggest considering inverted appendix as a differential diagnosis when investigating cecal lesions.