Ileal intussusception due to a parasite egg : a case report

Abstract

Ileal intussusception is the invagination of the small intestine within itself and accounts for 1% of cases of acute obstruction. However, physicians do not initially consider intussusception as a possible diagnosis of obstruction due to its rarity in adults. Herein, we report the case of a 22-year-old male who was admitted to the Emergency Department with continuous abdominal pain. Ultrasonography and computed tomography revealed an ileal intussusception. The patient underwent surgical removal of the segment of the small bowel. Unexpectedly, pathology revealed that the invagination occurred due to a parasite egg, with features suggestive of Schistosoma species. Schistosomiasis, although considered a parasitic disease in tropical countries, is not absent from Europe and though it is highly improbable, it may be responsible for cases of intussusception in adults. (C) 2014 Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.