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Intussusception secondary to Peutz-Jeghers polyp

Case contributed by Lourdes Tan
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Progressive abdominal pain and bilous vomiting. Soft palpable abdominal mass on physical exam. Incidental note of hyperpigmented macules on lips.

Patient Data

Age: 5 years
Gender: Female
  • Note: This case has been tagged as "legacy" as it no longer meets image preparation and/or other case publication guidelines.

Scout film of the abdomen revealed a large, round periumbilical opacity with mass effect of the gas-dilated small bowel loops. Initial considerations were intra-abdominal mass, as well as possible bowel obstruction which warranted further investigation.

CECT revealed that the palpable "mass" were actually obstructed, fluid-filled small bowel loops caused by a jejunal intussusception. No lead point was readily demonstrated on CT. There was evidence of bowel, mesentery and accompanying lymph nodes invaginating into the intussuscipiens. Some segments of the intussuscepted small bowel already demonstrated intestinal pneumatosis. Multiple gastric polyps were also identified.

Surgical intervention eventually revealed jejunal polyps as the lead point of the intussuceptum. The jejunal and gastric polyps were compatible with Peutz-Jegher type of polyp.

Case Discussion

A 5 year old, Filipino, female came into the ER with progressive abdominal pain and bilious vomiting. Physical examination of the abdomen revealed a soft, palpable mass. Incidentally she had hyperpigmented macules on the lips. Scout film of the abdomen revealed a large homogeneous ovoid opacity in the central abdomen with peripherally displaced gas-filled distended small bowel loops. Further investigation with contrast-enhanced CT scan demonstrated small bowel obstruction secondary to intussusception in the area of the jejenum. No discrete lead point was identified at that point. There was also note of gastric polyps.

Surgical intervention revealed that the lead point of the intussusceptum were jejunal polyps which produced approximately 100 cm of gangrenous small bowel. Histologic examination of the gastric and jejunal polyps were compatible with Peutz-Jegher type of polyp with characteristic arborizing network of lamina propria and smooth muscle. The patient had no known family history of Peutz-Jegher syndrome (PJS) but fulfilled the clinical criteria of having histologically confirmed PJ polyps with mucocutaneous pigmentation. Patient improved and was eventually sent home.

PJS is an autosomal dominant syndrome characterized by multiple hamartomatous polyps in the GI tract and mucocutaneous hyperpigmented macules. It is linked to a mutation of the STK11 gene. PJS patients have an increased risk for GI and extra-gastrointestinal cancer. Prevalence rate is 1/100,000 equally affecting males and females without ethnic predominance. Polyps occur in over 90% of PJS individuals, with median age of first presentation at approximately 11-13 years 2. During this time, transient intussusception, small bowel obstruction and bleeding are common complications. Intussusception occurs in up to 69% of PJS patients, most often in the small bowel (60-90% of polyp occurrence) 3. Because of risk for bowel obstruction, intussusception and development of cancer, PJS patients are placed under close surveillance.

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