Idiopathic enteroenteric intussusceptions in adults

BACKGROUND: Intestinal intussusception is infrequent in the adult, especially in the idiopathic and transitory forms. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records and imaging of four patients with seven idiopathic and transitory intestinal intussusceptions discovered in the course of barium meal and small bowel follow-through radiologic studies carried out for nonspecific abdominal pain. RESULTS: The patients had nonobstructive intestinal intussusception, with no demonstrable underlying cause. Some intussusceptions were resolved by applying pressure to separate the pathologic intestinal loop. No complications associated with the intussusceptions were found during subsequent follow-up. CONCLUSION: There are cases of idiopathic nonobstructive intestinal intussusception in the adult, with few or no clinical repercussions that require aggressive medical intervention.