Ileocolic intussusception as the initial presentation of Burkitt lymphoma in a 27-year-old male: a case report

TL;DR

A 27-year-old man presented with intussusception, which was later diagnosed as Burkitt lymphoma, highlighting the importance of considering cancer in adult intussusception cases.

Contribution

This case report highlights Burkitt lymphoma as a rare but important cause of adult intussusception.

Findings

Intussusception in adults is often caused by a pathological lead point like malignancy.

Burkitt lymphoma was confirmed as the cause of intussusception through histopathology and immunohistochemistry.

Exploratory laparotomy was necessary to relieve the small bowel obstruction and obtain a diagnosis.

Abstract

Adult intussusception is rare, representing 1% of all small bowel obstructions. The most common cause of adult intussusception is a pathological lead point such as a malignancy. Presenting symptoms can vary, and computed tomography (CT) imaging can aid in the preoperative diagnosis. A 27-year-old male presented to the emergency department with several weeks of diffuse abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. A CT scan revealed an abnormal ileocolic configuration with intussusception of the distal ileal loop through the cecum causing a high-grade small bowel obstruction. The patient underwent exploratory laparotomy to relieve the small bowel obstruction caused by the intussusception. A mass was identified intraoperatively which was originating from the terminal ileum. Pathological analysis determined the mass to be Burkitt lymphoma. When adult intussusception is identified, there must be a low index of suspicion for a malignant cause. Burkitt lymphoma was definitively diagnosed after primary resection with histopathology and immunohistochemistry.

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