Ultrasonographic diagnosis of ileo-ileal intussusception secondary to Vanek’s tumor

A. Rispo, R. De Sire, M. D’Armiento, L. De Bonis, F.P. Tropeano, S. Ricciolino, G. Nardone, G. Luglio

Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University Federico II of Naples, Naples, Italy. roberto.desire@libero.it

 

---

• Gastroenterology
• Oncology

Intussusception is a common condition of bowel obstruction in pediatric patients. However, 5% of all cases occur in adults, mostly aged over fifty, with no difference based on sex, representing about 1% of all causes of bowel obstruction. Compared to pediatric population, it is triggered by a pathologic lead point in about 85% of cases, represented in 60% of cases by malignant and benign neoplasms. Among these neoplasms, an inflammatory fibroid polyp (IFP), a benign neoplastic submucosal lesion also known as Vanek’s tumor, is considered a very uncommon cause of adult intussusception. Clinical presentation could differ by location and size of tumor, and may include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, bleeding, weight loss, palpable abdominal mass, bowel obstruction, and gastrointestinal bleeding. Considering its common and non-specific symptoms, radiologic imaging plays a key role in the diagnosis of an IFP, especially computed tomography (CT) scan, which represents the most sensitive modality to confirm intussusception. However, bowel sonography (BS) has become an accurate procedure in various pathological intestinal diseases, also including intussusception. In this paper, we report a rare case of ileo-ileal intussusception secondary to Vanek’s tumor diagnosed by BS.

Free PDF Download