Makindo Medical Notes"One small step for man, one large step for Makindo" |
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Adult intussusception is a rare but important cause of bowel obstruction. Unlike in children—where most cases are idiopathic—adults nearly always have an underlying pathology such as a tumour, polyp, or adhesion acting as a “lead point.” Prompt recognition is vital because delays can lead to ischaemia, necrosis, and perforation.
Outcome depends on the underlying cause. Benign lesions carry an excellent prognosis post-resection. Malignant causes account for the majority of large-bowel intussusceptions in adults, and prognosis depends on stage of disease at resection. Early recognition prevents catastrophic complications such as infarction and perforation.