Unusual cases of intussusception

Intussusception occurs most commonly in the first five years of life and is classically associated with intense intermittent abdominal pain, vomiting, bloody mucoid diarrhea, and a palpable abdominal mass. These cardinal findings are frequently not present, however, particularly outside the usual age range. The emergency physician must therefore be vigilant in considering intussusception as a potential cause for intestinal obstruction in all patients, if ischemic complications are to be avoided. We present three cases of “unusual” intussusception, and provide a review of this entity and a guide to its consideration and work-up in the emergency department.