Adult Small Bowel Intussusception: An Unusual Cause of Acute Intestinal Obstruction

Introduction: Adult intestinal intussusception is a rare cause of bowel obstruction and is often associated with an underlying pathological lesion. Its clinical presentation is usually nonspecific, making diagnosis challenging. Presentation of case: A 43-year-old man presented with an 8-day history of bowel obstruction. Abdominopelvic computed tomography revealed small bowel intussusception with characteristic “target” and “sandwich” signs, associated with upstream dilatation and pneumatosis intestinalis. Emergency surgical exploration identified a jejunojejunal intussusception, which was managed by segmental small bowel resection and primary anastomosis. Histopathological examination showed no evidence of malignancy. Discussion: In adults, intussusception is frequently secondary to an identifiable lesion, with a higher risk of malignancy compared to pediatric cases. Computed tomography is the diagnostic modality of choice. Surgical resection remains the cornerstone of management, particularly in symptomatic cases or when bowel compromise is suspected. Conclusion: Adult small bowel intussusception is a rare but important cause of intestinal obstruction. Early diagnosis and prompt surgical intervention are essential to ensure favorable outcomes.