Treatment of adult idiopathic ileocolic intussusception with non-operative reduction under fluoroscopic guidance

Intussusceptions in adults are a rare entity, representing only 1% of all bowel obstructions and 5% of all intussusceptions [1, 2]. In children, intussusception is usually idiopathic and benign, with up to 30% of patients coinciding with gastroenteritis [3]. Non-operative reduction using air or contrast enemas is sufficient to treat intussusception in 80% of pediatric patients. In adults however, most intussusception cases are secondary to a pathologic lesion that serves as a lead point that is trapped by peristalsis and then dragged into the distal segment of the intestine, causing the intussusception. Pathologic lesions that serve as potential lead points include malignant tumors, Meckel’s diverticulum, strictures or benign neoplasms. Nevertheless, up to 40% of adult patients may present as idiopathic intussusceptions [2, 4].