Intussusception in Adult

Abstract

Intussusception is one of the infrequent etiologic factors which must be considered in those patients seen with an intestinal obstruction without other apparent cause. The frequency with which it may occur diminishes with the increasing age of the patient to adult life. Most of the cases of this condition are, of course, seen in the infant. In our experience it is very uncommon in the adult; we have seen but two cases in the last 4000 gastro-intestinal examinations. However, this is not a true criterion of the frequency, since both of these occurrences were fairly longstanding and there is little doubt that chronic cases occur less frequently than do the acute manifestations.

This condition must not only be considered as a cause of intestinal obstruction but must also receive careful consideration in the differential diagnosis of certain cases of suspected neoplasm. The following case illustrates very well the importance of considering intussusception, not only from the point of intestinal obstruction but also to be differentiated from a neoplasm.

CaseStudy

The patient, a 59 year old man, had always been in good health until four months ago when he began to notice epigastric distress after meals. Gradually there developed cramp-like, colicky pains in the abdomen and he noted a hard lump in the right lower quadrant. He was unable to eat because to do so aggravated the cramps. At the same time he became constipated, which increased in severity so that it became necessary to take castor oil for relief. . .