Intestinal Lipoma Acting as a Lead Point of Intussusception: A Case Series.

BACKGROUND

Lipomas represent a rare benign etiology of intussusception in adults, affecting both the small intestine and the colon. Diagnosing intussusception in adults can be challenging, and there are no reports on the use of positron emission tomography/CT (PET/CT) in the diagnosis of lipoma-induced intussusception. This study aimed to preliminarily explore the potential diagnostic utility of 18F-FDG PET/CT in the diagnosis of intussusception caused by lipomas.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective review of the clinical characteristics and imaging findings of three patients diagnosed with lipoma-induced intussusception using 18F-FDG PET/CT from 2019 to 2023 at our hospital.

RESULTS

The three cases presented with diverse clinical presentations and were diagnosed based on PET/CT imaging. Surgical confirmation was obtained in two cases. Lipomas were identified in both the small intestine and the colon, with one case displaying increased metabolic activity on FDG uptake, suggesting a possible link between FDG uptake and clinical severity.

CONCLUSION

Lipoma is a benign cause of intussusception that can occur in both the small intestine and the colon. The symptoms of adult intussusception are often atypical and variable. Imaging modalities, particularly PET/CT, are instrumental in diagnosing intussusception due to lipomas, differentiating between benign and malignant causes, and assessing the severity to inform treatment strategies.