Intussusception in adults caused by intestinal lipoma: a report of two cases

Adult intussusception is a rare and challenging condition to diagnose and treat. Intussusception caused by a small intestinal lipoma is uncommon and is often diagnosed after the intussusception occurs, which makes diagnosis difficult.

We present two cases of small bowel obstruction caused by ileoileal intussusception resulting from a submucosal intestinal lipoma. Both patients underwent exploratory laparotomy, resection of the gangrenous bowel segment, and ileoileal anastomosis.

Lipomas are typically asymptomatic and are usually incidentally discovered during imaging or endoscopic exams. However, larger lipomas, especially those exceeding 2 cm, can cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, bleeding, or blockage by triggering intussusception. Abdominal computed tomography is the preferred imaging modality for diagnosing intussusception.

Adult intussusception is a rare condition that can be challenging to diagnose and treat. It is often caused by organic lesions in the small intestine, such as tumors, diverticula, and polyps. Radiological decompression may not be advisable due to the potential risk of malignancy. Partial small bowel resection can be performed through either laparotomy or laparoscopy.