Adult Colocolic Intussusception: A Rare Case of Intestinal Obstruction

Abstract

Intussusception occurs when a part of the intestine slides into its distal adjacent portion and is a surgical emergency. Adult colocolic intussusception is rare, but it is a severe condition and is usually associated with a presence of a tumoral process. We present the case of a frail male patient admitted to our emergency department with abdominal pain, prostration, and dyspnea. The patient was diagnosed with colocolic intussusception and was submitted to a subtotal colectomy and ileostomy. Patients with colocolic intussusception usually present with chronic abdominal pain and signs of intestinal obstruction. Abdominal CT scan facilitates the diagnosis, but most cases are only diagnosed intraoperatively. Given the high probability of colon cancer, the treatment involves an oncological resection of the intestinal segment. Colocolic intussusception is a rare cause of intestinal obstruction in adults where a high suspicion index is of paramount importance, especially considering that most of the diagnoses are made at surgery.