Intussusception With a Pathological Lead Point in a Two-Month-Old Infant

TL;DR

This case report describes a rare instance of intussusception in a two-month-old infant caused by a myoglandular-type polyp, highlighting unusual occurrences in young patients.

Contribution

The paper presents a rare case of intussusception in an infant under three months with a myoglandular-type polyp as the lead point.

Findings

Intussusception in infants under three months is rare and often idiopathic.

Myoglandular-type polyps are uncommon and rarely found in patients under 50 years old.

The case highlights the importance of considering rare causes of intussusception in young infants.

Abstract

Intussusception is one of the most common causes of acute intestinal obstruction in infancy and early childhood. Most cases of intussusception tend to occur in infancy, between the ages of four and six months. The causes can be split into two categories: non-pathologic and pathologic. Non-pathological causes include administration of the rotavirus vaccine, dehydration, and recent illness. Pathological causes can be attributed to Meckel’s diverticulum (in 75% of cases), polyps (15%), and lymphoma or other tumors (3%). Intussusception rarely occurs in infants less than three months of age. If intussusception does occur in patients under three months of age, the cause is idiopathic in up to 75% of the cases. Additionally, myoglandular-type polyps are exceedingly rare and very rarely occur in patients under the age of 50. This case report discusses the diagnosis and treatment of intussusception in a two-month-old male patient who initially presented to the pediatric inpatient unit for dehydration secondary to a suspected viral illness, later developing colicky abdominal pain and bloody stools. He was found to have colo-colonic intussusception with a myoglandular-type polyp lead point. In discussing this case, the aim is to teach about intussusception and myoglandular-type polyps, as well as reveal a rarity in both etiologies for this age group.

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