Colo-colonic intussusception secondary to giant colonic lipoma in an adult: A case report.

INTRODUCTION

Intestinal intussusception is a rare complication in adults, accounting for 1 % of intestinal obstructions. Unlike in children, it is often secondary to a malignant lesion, rarely a benign one. Colonic lipomas are asymptomatic benign tumors often discovered incidentally. Colo-colonic intussusception due to a lipoma is exceptional. Here, we report a rare case of colo-colonic intussusception secondary to a giant caecal lipoma occurring in a 65-year-old woman.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 65-year-old woman, was admitted in our surgical department for intermittent crampy abdominal pain in the right iliac fossa with an alternation of diarrhea and constipation over the past 10 months. The radiological investigation revealed a colo-colonic intussusception, most likely secondary to a fatty mass in the cecum. A right hemicolectomy was performed with ileocolic anastomosis because of the risk of malignancy. Histopathological examination confirmed the lipomatous nature of the lesion. The patient remained asymptomatic three years after surgery.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

Colonic lipomas are often asymptomatic. They can cause intussusception with clinical symptoms varying based on their size and location. CT scan has increased the number of preoperative diagnoses. Treatment options include surveillance, endoscopic intervention, or surgical resection. The appropriate surgical intervention remains a major challenge for surgeons due to the risk of malignancy.

CONCLUSION

A giant colonic lipoma remains a very rare cause of colonic intussusception, especially in adults. CT scan plays a crucial role in diagnosis. Surgical resection remains the treatment of choice due to the risk of malignancy.