How serious is intussusception in adults?

Intussusception can cut off the blood supply to the affected portion of the intestine. If left untreated, lack of blood causes tissue of the intestinal wall to die. Tissue death can lead to a tear (perforation) in the intestinal wall, which can cause an infection of the lining of the abdominal cavity (peritonitis).

Can intussusception fix itself in adults?

Intussusception in adults can be further classified according to the presence of a lead point or not[19]: transient non-obstructing intussusception without a lead point has been described in patients with celiac[20] or Crohn’s[21] disease, but is more frequently idiopathic and resolves spontaneously without any …

Is intussusception rare in adults?

In contrast, intussusception in adults is a rare disorder that represents only 1% of intestinal obstructions and nearly 5% of all intussusception cases [3-5].

Can intussusception recur in adults?

Recurrent intussusception in adults is uncommon, and most often due to an organic cause, unlike in children.

Does intussusception cause weight loss?

In adults, intussusception is usually accompanied with intermittent abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, constipation, melena, weight loss, and fever.

Can intussusception happen twice?

Background: Intussusception is a common abdominal emergency in infancy and childhood, and the recurrence rate is reported to be up to 20%. Numerous potential risk factors for recurrence have been reported, although some of them are still controversial.

How painful is an intussusception?

The main symptom of intussusception is severe, crampy abdominal pain alternating with periods of no pain. Painful episodes may last 10 to 15 minutes or longer, followed by periods of 20 to 30 minutes of no pain, after which the pain returns.

How long does it take to recover from intussusception?

Your child should be fully recovered from the procedure in about four to six weeks. Most children who receive prompt (typically within 24 hours) treatment for intussusception fully recover and do not have any long-term effects or restrictions. If treatment is delayed for any reason, damage to the intestine can occur.

How many adults get intussusception?

The overall incidence of intussusception in adults is around 2–3 cases per 1,000,000 of the general population annually [4]. Intussusception in adults is usually secondary to an existing pathology; in pediatric population, however it is mostly primary in origin.

Can intussusception come back years later?

Intussusception is the most common cause of intestinal obstruction between 3 months and 6 years of age. Recurrence after reduction of intussusception in childhood is not rare.

Can intussusception happen again?

In some cases, surgery may be needed. If not treated, intussusception can be life-threatening. Intussusception can happen again, especially if it’s not treated with surgery the first time.