From an incidental lipoma to ileo-ileal intussusception in an adult: A case report

Abstract

Abstract Introduction and importance: Intussusception in adults is rare, constituting a miniscule number of bowel obstruction pathologies. Clinical practice often considers it a last-resort diagnosis, as other causes of mechanical small bowel obstruction are more common. The diagnosis is a challenging one to make, as the "telescoping" motion of the intestines fluctuates in a waxing-and-waning nature. In adults, the etiology is predominantly a pathological lead point being either benign or malignant. When encountering an obscure cause of abdominal pain, intussusception caused by a small bowel lipoma may be the culprit.

Case presentation: In this unique case, we present the journey of a 55-year-old Emirati male who presented with severe abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. The patient underwent various imaging modalities, initially an "incidental" lipoma finding in the terminal ileum until a diagnosis of ileo-ileal intussusception emerged in later imaging, given its unusual and fluctuating nature. Ultimately, a resection of the bowel segment with side-to-side anastomosis was done.

Clinical discussion: This case report aims to illuminate the diverse clues and incidental findings encountered during our patient's path to a diagnosis. By exploring the elements of this patient's journey to a diagnosis, we aspire to aid future clinicians in navigating the challenges of identifying obstructive pathologies and considering intussusception as a rare yet crucial differential diagnosis.

Conclusion: This case highlights the importance of a comprehensive approach to diagnosis and management of patients presenting with obstructive symptoms, incorporating both clinical insight and imaging modalities such as CT to ensure optimal patient outcomes. When confronting such an obscure cause of abdominal pain, intussusception caused by a small bowel lipoma may be the culprit.