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Intussusception in adults: CT diagnosis
1Department of Diagnostic Imaging, The Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel.
Clinical Radiology
|February 17, 1998
Summary
Adult intussusception, often diagnosed with computed tomography (CT), frequently involves a characteristic mass with fat stripes. Malignancy is the most common cause, necessitating early diagnosis and intervention for this rare condition.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Gastroenterology
- Abdominal Imaging
Background:
- Intussusception in adults is uncommon but can present with prolonged abdominal pain.
- Computed tomography (CT) is the primary imaging modality for diagnosing adult intussusception.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present the CT, clinical, and pathological findings of 16 adult patients with intussusception.
- To highlight the diagnostic utility of CT in identifying the characteristics and underlying causes of adult intussusception.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of abdominal CT scans from 16 adult intussusception patients.
- Correlation of CT findings (mass characteristics, location, fat content, bowel dilatation) with clinical and pathological data.
Main Results:
- CT revealed inhomogeneous masses with fat content in 14/16 patients, presenting as target or sausage shapes.
- Enteroenteric, ileocolic, and colocolic intussusceptions were observed; complete obstruction was rare.
- Malignancy was the most frequent underlying pathology (9/16), often unsuspected on CT.
Conclusions:
- CT demonstrates a characteristic fat-containing mass in adult intussusception, with obstruction being infrequent.
- Malignant lesions are the predominant cause, underscoring the importance of early CT diagnosis and prompt management.