A Rare Case of Entero-Enteric Intussusception Recurrence on lipoma

Abstract

Intestinal intussusception caused by a lipoma is a rare etiology of acute intestinal obstruction in adults. Lipomas are benign tumors composed of adipose tissue, they can induce intussusception, particularly when they reach a significant size. We report the case of a 49-year-old woman presenting with recurrent entero-enteric intussusception due to a small bowel lipoma, following a prior surgical intervention for an ileo-colic intussusception on lipoma. A CT scan revealed the invagination and a 21 mm lipoma inside it. Segmental resection was successfully performed, and the patient experienced a favorable postoperative course. The pathology examination of the resected specimen showed a 2.5 cm lipoma with safe margins. A close fellow-up with medical consultation every three months is undergoing since one year, for detecting an eventual recurrency and haven’t show any anomaly yet. Recurrence of intestinal lipomas is common, particularly after incomplete resection or in cases of multiple lipomas, but the recurrence of intussusception is rare. Studies suggest that approximately 20% of intestinal lipomas may lead to obstruction, with larger lesions (>4 cm) being more likely to cause complications (Álvarez-Bautista et al., 2021). Regular monitoring through clinical examinations and imaging are essential for early detection of recurrences (Manouras et al., 2007). Optimal management relies on preventive surgery for large lipomas and a multidisciplinary approach (Amirhom et al., 2022). Despite their benign nature, intestinal lipomas can lead to serious complications, necessitating careful medical follow-up.