Adult ileocolic intussusception caused by Burkitt lymphoma

Abstract

Ileocolic intussusception due to Burkitt lymphoma is extremely rare in adults. A man aged 17 years presented with a history of recurrent abdominal pain over the past 3 weeks. The abdomen was distended with diffuse tenderness, and bowel sounds were present. Abdominal ultrasound and CT scans showed evidence of small bowel obstruction with marked wall thickening in the ileocecal region and 'target' signs suggestive for intussusception. At laparoscopy, a mass involving the caecum and the terminal ileum was found, along with multiple locoregional nodes, which was highly suggestive of malignancy. A typical en bloc right colectomy with intracorporeal ileocolic anastomosis was performed. Histopathological examination showed a high-grade B-cell Burkitt lymphoma that was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. The patient was subsequently treated with adjuvant combination chemotherapy and is alive and disease-free at the 3-year follow-up.