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Chronic non-strangulating incompletely obstructing intussusception: with case report of a seven and a half year old
O Onwuanyi1, I Evbuomwan, A Biu
1Department of Surgery, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Nigeria.
Insights
A rare case of chronic intussusception in a child presented with abdominal pain and vomiting. Delayed diagnosis occurred due to atypical symptoms, highlighting the need for increased clinical suspicion in pediatric abdominal emergencies.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Intussusception is a common surgical emergency in children, typically presenting acutely.
- Chronic intussusception is rare and can mimic other gastrointestinal conditions, leading to diagnostic challenges.
Observation:
- A 7.5-year-old male presented with a six-week history of colicky abdominal pain, vomiting, a palpable mass, and intermittent bloody, mucus-laden stools.
- Initial misdiagnosis as amoebic dysentery at a peripheral hospital resulted in a four-week delay in appropriate treatment.
Findings:
- The case involved chronic ileo-ileo colic intussusception, an uncommon variant of the condition.
- Diagnostic delay was attributed to the unusual chronicity and presentation, necessitating a low index of suspicion.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of considering intussusception in the differential diagnosis of prolonged pediatric abdominal symptoms.
- Early involvement of pediatric surgical expertise is crucial for timely diagnosis and management of complex gastrointestinal cases.
Abstract:
One case of chronic intussusception (ileo-ileo colic) is reported. A seven and a half year old male had presented with colicky abdominal pain, vomiting, a palpable abdominal mass, infrequent passage of mucus or blood with stools and weight loss over a period of six weeks. There was delay in diagnosis due to unusual presentation and a low index of suspicion. The patient had been admitted to a peripheral general hospital for four weeks where he was treated for amoebic dysentery without improvement, before his transfer to our hospital where the diagnostic problem continued, until the paediatric surgical unit was called in.