Submucosal lipoma acting as a leading point for colo-colic intussusception in an adult

Abstract

Intussusception in adults is a rare condition, in contrast to paediatric intussusception where the majority of cases are idiopathic, ∼90% of adult cases have identifiable aetiology. The clinical presentation is often non-specific abdominal pain. We report the case of a 49-year-old gentleman who presented to our emergency department with a 10-day history of colicky abdominal pain. Computed tomography imaging revealed a lipomatous mass lesion in the transverse colon leading to intussusception. An extended right hemicolectomy was performed with a good result. Histology confirmed that the leading point of the intussusception was a large submucosal lipoma. Gastrointestinal lipomas are rare and largely asymptomatic. However, they may cause abdominal pain, bleeding per rectum, obstruction or intussusception. Since adult colonic intussusception is frequently associated with malignant organic lesions, the differential diagnosis is important, and timely surgical intervention paramount.