Adult Colocolic Intussusception Secondary to a Colonic Lipoma: A Case Report

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Surgical Oncology
• Diagnostic Imaging

Background:

• Adult intussusception is rare, frequently presenting with nonspecific symptoms.
• A lead point, benign or malignant, is common in adult intussusception, necessitating surgical resection.
• Colonic lipomas are infrequent benign lesions but a notable cause of colocolic intussusception.

Observation:

• A 42-year-old woman experienced prolonged intermittent abdominal pain, initially misdiagnosed as constipation.
• Physical examination and routine blood tests were unremarkable; abdominal X-ray showed stool loading.
• Cross-sectional imaging revealed colocolic intussusception secondary to a 5 cm submucosal lipoma.

Findings:

• The patient underwent successful open segmental colectomy with primary anastomosis.
• Histopathology confirmed the lipoma and an incidental serrated adenoma.
• Postoperative recovery was uneventful, with discharge on postoperative day eight.

Implications:

• This case emphasizes the diagnostic challenges of adult intussusception with nonspecific symptoms.
• Cross-sectional imaging, particularly computed tomography (CT), is crucial for timely diagnosis.
• Surgical resection remains the primary treatment for adult intussusception, especially colocolic involvement.