Intususepsi

Abstract

Abstract

 Intussusception is defined as the invagination of one intestinal segment into an adjacent intestinal segment. Idiopathic ileocolic intussusception is the most common form in children and is usually treated with nonoperative reduction via pneumatic and/or hydrostatic enemas. In the adult population, intussusception is rare and occurs more frequently in the small intestine than in the large intestine. It is associated with lead point pathology in the majority of cases with symptoms presenting as intestinal obstruction. If lead point pathology is present in adult small bowel intussusception, it is usually benign, but if malignant it is most often caused by diffuse metastatic disease, for example melanoma. In contrast, the initial point of pathology for adult ileocolic and colonic intussusception is most often primary adenocarcinoma when malignant. The diagnosis is usually made intraoperatively or by cross-sectional imaging. With the increasing frequency of CT/MRI of the adult abdomen in the current era, transient and/or asymptomatic intussusception is increasingly found and can often be observed without intervention. When intervention in the adult population is necessary, usually oncologic bowel resection is performed due to its association with lead point pathology.

 Keywords: intussusception, intussusceptum, intussuscipiens, intestinal obstruction