Jejuno-jejunal intussusception in an adult due to inflammatory fibroid polyp: Tale of two unusual cases

Abstract

Intussusception in adults is rare, accounting for 1-2% of intestinal obstruction, often caused by neoplasia. Jejuno-jejunal intussusception is especially uncommon and usually linked to benign lesions. Symptoms are vague, including colicky abdominal pain, vomiting and gastrointestinal bleeding, often delaying diagnosis until exploratory laparotomy. We present two cases of adult jejuno-jejunal intussusception caused by inflammatory fibroid polyps (IFPs), rare benign submucosal tumours mostly found in the stomach and rarely (4.3%) in the jejunum. The first case involved a 17-year old male with abdominal pain, melaena, anaemia and renal dysfunction; surgery revealed a jejunal mass, confirmed as IFP. The second case was a 34-year old female with bowel obstruction from a jejunal mass also identified as IFP. Imaging may mimic malignancy such as gastro-intestinal stromal tumor (GIST) or lymphoma, but histopathology confirms diagnosis. Surgical resection is curative with excellent prognosis.