Intestinal intussusception in adults: Location, causes, symptoms, and therapeutic management.

OBJECTIVE: Intestinal intussusception is difficult to diagnose in adults because the symptoms are nonspecific. However, most have structural causes that require surgical treatment. This paper reviews the epidemiologic characteristics, imaging findings, and therapeutic management of intussusception in adults. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study identified patients diagnosed with intestinal intussusception who required admission to our hospital between 2016 and 2020. Of the 73 cases identified, 6 were excluded due to coding errors and 46 were excluded because the patients were aged <16 years. Thus, 21 cases in adults (mean age, 57 years) were analyzed. RESULTS: The most common clinical manifestation was abdominal pain, reported in 8 (38%) cases. In CT studies, the target sign yielded 100% sensitivity. The most common site of intussusception was the ileocecal region, reported in 8 (38%) patients. A structural cause was identified in 18 (85.7%) patients, and 17 (81%) patients required surgery. The pathology findings were concordant with the CT findings in 94.1% of cases; tumours were the most frequent cause (6 (35.3%) benign and 9 (64.7%) malignant). CONCLUSIONS: CT is the first-choice test for the diagnosis of intussusception and plays a crucial role in determining its aetiology and therapeutic management.

Intestinal intussusception in adults: location, causes, symptoms, and therapeutic management. / Invaginaciones intestinales en el adulto: localización, etiología, sintomatología y manejo terapéutico.

OBJECTIVE: Intestinal intussusception is difficult to diagnose in adults because the symptoms are nonspecific. However, most have structural causes that require surgical treatment. This paper reviews the epidemiologic characteristics, imaging findings, and therapeutic management of intussusception in adults. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study identified patients diagnosed with intestinal intussusception who required admission to our hospital between 2016 and 2020. Of the 73 cases identified, 6 were excluded due to coding errors and 46 were excluded because the patients were aged<16 years. Thus, 21 cases in adults (mean age, 57 y) were analyzed. RESULTS: The most common clinical manifestation was abdominal pain, reported in 8 (38%) cases. In CT studies, the target sign yielded 100% sensitivity. The most common site of intussusception was the ileocecal region, reported in 8 (38%) patients. A structural cause was identified in 18 (85.7%) patients, and 17 (81%) patients required surgery. The pathology findings were concordant with the CT findings in 94.1% of cases; tumors were the most frequent cause (6 (35.3%) benign and 9 (64.7%) malignant). CONCLUSIONS: CT is the first-choice test for the diagnosis of intussusception and plays a crucial role in determining its etiology and therapeutic management.