Double intussusception in a teenage child with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome: A case report

BACKGROUND: Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS) is a genetic disorder characterized by the development of gastrointestinal hamartomatous polyps and mucocutaneous melanin pigmentation. Patients with PJS are at risk of complications such as intussusception. Intussusception is a condition where one segment of the intestine invaginates into another, causing intestinal obstruction. We report a PJS patient who was diagnosed with double intussusception in a single setting.

CASE SUMMARY: A 16-year-old teenage male PJS patient presented with a history of colicky abdominal pain, vomiting, blood in stools, loss of appetite, and weight loss. On abdominal examination, a vague mass was palpable over the right upper quadrant. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen was performed and an intussusception involving the jejunum and rectosigmoid junction was observed. The patient subsequently underwent a laparotomy and intussusception involving the jejunum and another over the ileum was noted intra-operatively. Bowel resection and an endoscopic polypectomy were performed, followed by a primary anastomosis. The patient was discharged well and reviewed again one month later, and was noted to be well.

CONCLUSION: PJS patients have a high risk of intussusception and can be diagnosed accurately by endoscopic surveillance or radiologically with abdominal CT or magnetic resonance imaging. The mainstay of treatment is surgical intervention followed by endoscopic surveillance with periodic polypectomy.