Intussusception in pregnancy--a rarely considered diagnosis

Abstract

Intussusception in pregnancy is rare and making a preoperative diagnosis is extremely difficult. The objective of this paper is to report a case of intussusception in a pregnant woman and to review the literature on the subject with a view to highlighting the peculiarities of this condition. The case file of a 26 year old Gravida 3, Para(0+2) lady who had appendectomy 5 years earlier and now presented at 33 weeks of gestation with features of intestinal obstruction was evaluated. Ultrasound scan showed dilated bowel loops suggestive of intestinal obstruction. At operation, an ileo-ileal intussusception was found without a lead point. Histology of the resected bowel segment showed haemorrhagic infarction without evidence of malignancy. Even though bands and adhesions are the commonest causes of intestinal obstruction in a patient that has had a previous abdominal surgery, possibility of other aetiological factors should always be considered.