Recurrent Right Upper Quadrant Pain Masquerading an Underlying Colon Adenocarcinoma-Induced Intussusception

Abstract

Intussusception in adults is a challenging diagnosis that often requires a high degree of suspicion. In adults presenting with symptoms, almost 90% have underlying neoplasms. Most frequently, the presentation will include nonspecific abdominal pain, vomiting, and mucoid hematochezia. In this case, we present a 39-year-old female with a rare presentation of chronic, recurrent right upper quadrant abdominal pain over a 5-month interval. The misleading presentation with which the patient presented led to a delay in diagnosis and treatment of colon malignancy and serves to advocate for intussusception as a differential for adult patients presenting with obstructive symptoms of unknown origin and recurrent abdominal pain. Such cases should persuade physicians to plan prompt surgical intervention as to not delay optimal diagnostic and therapeutic outcomes.

Keywords

• intussusception
• adenocarcinoma
• case report
• gastroenterology