This study aimed to document the baseline incidence and epidemiology of intussusception (IS) in Malaysia. This retrospective surveillance examined hospital discharge data from three hospitals in Malaysia to identify IS cases over a 3-year period (2000-2003) in children <5 years of age. Identification of definite cases of IS was done through a search of computerized hospital discharge records (ICD-9-CM code 560.0) followed by confirmation of diagnosis through medical record review. The definition of IS was based on the clinical guidelines from the IS Brighton Collaboration Working Group, version 2002. During the 3-year study period, there were 62 cases hospitalized due to IS, of which 74.2% were < 1 year of age. The incidences for hospitalization due to IS in children < 1 year old and < 5 years old averaged 17.8 and 4.8 per 100,000 person-years, respectively. No IS-associated deaths were recorded and all IS cases had a favorable outcome. No distinct seasonality with IS occurrence was observed.
A neurologically impaired child who had fundoplication and gastrostomy done for gastroesophageal at the age of three, presented two years later with intestinal obstruction. She underwent laparotomy and was found to have antegrade jejuno-jejunal intussusception. Intussusception is an unusual but recognised complication of gastrostomy tube placement.
Adult intussusception is rare. It represents only 5% of all intussusceptions and 1% of bowel obstruction. Clinical presentations are usually variable with a variety of acute, intermittent and chronic symptoms. It is associated with an underlying pathologic process in 90% of cases. A lack of Malaysia data prompted review of the Sarawak experience with this uncommon entity, focusing on the clinical features, diagnostic procedure and treatment. During the last 5 years, there were 14 cases of surgically proven adult intussusception. Mean age was 45.9 years. There were 9 enteric and 5 colonic intussusceptions. Ninety-three percent of the intussusceptions were associated with a pathologic lesion. Thirty-three percent of the enteric lesions were malignant and 67% were benign. Eighty percent of the colonic lesions were malignant and 20% were benign. Computed tomography scan has a good diagnostic accuracy of 83% and should be considered for all patients with nonspecific abdominal symptoms or suspected bowel obstruction. Treatment of choice for colonic intussusception in adults is en bloc resection without reduction whenever possible, whereas a more selective approach for enteric lesions.