Neuroendocrine carcinoma as a rare cause of jejunal intussusception in an adult. Management and literature review

Abstract

Intussusception of the small bowel is an uncommon condition, with the majority of cases being observed during infancy. A number of points are responsible, with benign and malignant lesions of the small intestine being the most common. Herein, we present the case of a 75-year-old male patient with vague abdominal pain and black stool during defecation, who underwent surgery due to jejunal intussusception. Pathology report demonstrated a neuroendocrine carcinoma as the underlying cause for his condition, with no additional metastases during the initial diagnosis. Although a conservative approach for management of intussusception is viable, the possibility of gastric outlet obstruction and the presence of malignancy as the primary point usually lead to urgent surgery. In the case of malignancy, adjuvant chemotherapy or additional symptomatic therapy with close follow-up may be required depending on tumor's grade and aggressiveness.