Obstructive acute abdomen secundary to intestinal intussusception

Abstract

Introduction:
Intestinal intussusception results from the invagination of a portion of the intestine into another adjacent segment, a situation that generates obstruction. This condition usually occurs due to a potentially malignant lesion. Objective: Description of the diagnosis and treatment of a clinical case of acute abdomen in an adult patient, showing intestinal intussusception and tumor in the small intestine. Methods: This is a descriptive study in the form of a case report, in which data were extracted from the medical records of a single patient. Case report: D.N.V., male, 26 years old, was admitted to the hospital emergency room due to a complaint of pain in the hypogastrium for three days, of moderate intensity, with partial improvement with analgesia, associated with nausea, vomiting, hematochezia and denies weight loss. Physical examination indicated regular general status, pain on palpation in the left flank and iliac fossa, no signs of peritonism. Laboratory tests and abdominal tomography were requested, which showed a volvulus of the small intestine with intussusception. The patient was submitted to exploratory laparotomy which confirmed the intestinal intussusception and the tumor in the jejunum. Then, resection of the affected segment was performed. Conclusion: Intestinal intussusception presents a different clinical picture when compared to adults and the pediatric population due to less specific symptoms. Intussusception becomes secondary to a malignant lesion located in the jejunum, with resection being the indicated procedure. A detailed investigation enables a more assertive prognosis, reduces complications, and may resolve the clinical picture more efficiently.