Jejunojejunal intussusception induced by a gastrointestinal stromal tumor: a case report and literature review

Intussusception is defined as the invagination of a proximal segment of the bowel into the adjoining or distal segment. In most adults with intussusception, there is a demonstrable lead point with a definite pathologic abnormality. The clinical features of intussusception include chronic intermittent abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, constipation, and a palpable abdominal mass. The present case report describes a 62-year-old woman with a 2-week history of abdominal pain and 9-day history of vomiting. Clinical, imaging, and histologic evaluations revealed a jejunojejunal intussusception with a gastrointestinal stromal tumor as the lead point. A gastrointestinal stromal tumor should be considered as a possible lead point in adult patients with intussusception. The implication of reducing the intussusception prior to tumor resection requires further evaluation in view of the risk of venous embolism, including direct spread of malignant cells, in cases involving a large polypoid mass with a necrotic surface that extends to the serosa as shown by intraoperative examination. Accordingly, the rationale for adjuvant therapy with imatinib also requires further evaluation.