Radiology case of the month: two adults with intermittent abdominal pain

Though usually thought of as a pediatric entity, intussusception may occur in adults, which account for 5% of cases. Intussusception may result from a pathologic lead point facilitating the process or may occur with no such lead point. As opposed to idiopathic predominance in children, most adult intussusception involves a lead point. Generally, large bowel lead points are more likely to be malignant than small bowel lead points. Clinical presentations of intussusception may be nonspecific, thus radiologic evaluation plays an essential role in diagnosis. Findings at computerized tomography (CT) include a target or sausage-shaped mass with or without signs of bowel obstruction. Treatment is aimed at relieving any obstruction and identifying potential causes of the intussusception.