[Unexplained vague abdominal complaints in adults: indication for CT in case of suspected intussusception].
In two adult patients, a 74-year-old woman and a 84-year-old man, who suffered from vague abdominal complaints, an intussusception was diagnosed by CT. Surgical resection of the affected bowel parts was successful. Intussusception is usually seen in children; in adults it is a rare condition. Adult patients mostly complain about vague abdominal pain only. Physical examination, laboratory investigations and plain abdominal X-rays often don't give any additional information. In such patients it is advised to perform CT of the abdomen at an early stage. CT may show a so-called 'target sign' which is characteristic of an intussusception. In addition it can provide information about the possible causes of the intussusception, most commonly a malignant tumour in adults. During laparotomy one should not attempt to reduce the intussusception because of the risk of tumour spill. In this clinical review, we present two adult patients with unexplained abdominal complaints due to intussusception, caused by malignancy.
Afd. Chirurgie, VieCuri Medisch Centrum voor Noord-Limburg.
J M L G
JM
Gehlen
C L H
CL
van Berlo
F
F
van der Horst
P H A
PH
Nijhuis
D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007443:Intussusception / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D007813:Laparotomy; D008297:Male; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed