Intussusception Induced by Burkitt Lymphoma in an Adult Patient

Intussusception is defined as the telescoping of an intestinal region into an adjacent region of intestine. We present an interesting case of a retrograde intussusception due to an underlying Burkitt lymphoma. Case Presentation: We have a 41-year-old Caucasian male who presented to the Emergency Department (ED) with complaints of left sided periumbilical abdominal pain that began several months prior. Computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen and pelvis with oral and IV contrast showed a colonic mass in the region of the ileocecal valve. Patient denied any fever, vomiting, melena, or hematochezia. He was scheduled for a colonoscopy with surgical services. Upon colonoscopy, intussusception in the region of the ileocecal valve was discovered and cecectomy was scheduled for the same day. Intussusception was removed via hand assisted laparoscopic cecectomy with functional end-to-end anastomoses. Gross dissection of the specimen post cecectomy revealed a 5cm by 5cm mass as the lead point for intussusception (Figures 4, 5). The mass was sent for pathology which revealed Burkitt lymphoma. Conclusion: Intussusception is a rare cause of abdominal pain in adults but should be considered because it may be an indicator of underlying malignancy. Unlike intussusception in the pediatric patient, which can be managed non-operatively, treatment in adults is usually surgery.