Multiple Small Bowel Intussusceptions in the Setting of Anabolic Steroid Use

Abstract

Adult intussusception is a rare phenomenon and often provides a unique diagnostic challenge, typically involving extensive investigation to rule out sinister pathology. We present the case of a healthy 28-year-old male, who presented with symptoms suggestive of small bowel obstruction. Computed tomography displayed evidence of a small bowel intussusception; however, thorough investigation was unremarkable, besides a marked polycythemia. The patient represented several months later with another bowel obstruction, at which time he disclosed the regular use of androgenous anabolic steroids (AAS), which are recognized to induce polycythemia. AAS increase the risk of thromboembolic events and have more recently been implicated as a risk factor for intussusception. This case aims to highlight the increasing prevalence of AAS use, and the importance of its consideration in diagnostic dilemmas, particularly in otherwise healthy adults presenting with intussusception.

Keywords

• anabolic
• bowel
• intussusception
• steroids