Rare Multiple Transient Small Bowel Intussusceptions in an Adult

Surgeons identified a rare case of multiple transient idiopathic small bowel intussusceptions in an adult patient, according to a report published in the medical journal Cureus on June 12, 2026. Unlike the majority of adult cases, these intestinal folds occurred without a detectable lead point or underlying pathological cause.

Small bowel intussusception occurs when one segment of the intestine slides into an adjacent segment, similar to the mechanism of a collapsing telescope. This process can obstruct the bowel and cut off blood supply to the affected tissue, according to the Cureus report.

While the condition is a common cause of bowel obstruction in children, it is uncommon in adults. The report notes that when it does occur in adults, it is typically associated with a lead point, such as a tumor or a polyp, which triggers the telescoping motion.

Why is idiopathic intussusception rare in adults?

Most adult cases of intussusception are secondary to a specific physical abnormality. According to the Cureus study, approximately 90% of adult cases have a demonstrable lead point, which may be malignant or benign. The idiopathic variety, where no such cause is found, is far less frequent in the adult population than in pediatric patients.

The reported case is particularly unusual because the patient presented with multiple intussusceptions. The report describes these as transient, meaning they were not permanent fixtures but occurred and resolved intermittently.

These findings were made intraoperatively, meaning surgeons discovered the condition during a surgical procedure. The report indicates that the intussusceptions were reduced manually during the operation, and no underlying mass or lesion was identified upon closer inspection of the bowel wall.

How does this differ from pediatric cases?

The mechanism of intussusception varies significantly by age. In children, the condition is often idiopathic, frequently triggered by lymphoid hyperplasia following a viral infection, according to the medical data provided in the report.

In contrast, adult intussusception is rarely idiopathic. The Cureus report highlights a stark contrast: while a child’s bowel may telescope due to temporary inflammation, an adult’s bowel usually requires a physical “anchor” like a malignancy to initiate the process. The absence of such a lead point in this adult patient places the case in a small minority of clinical observations.

What are the clinical implications of transient findings?

Transient intussusceptions present a diagnostic challenge because they may appear on imaging tests but disappear by the time a patient reaches the operating room. This volatility can lead to discrepancies between preoperative radiology and intraoperative findings.

The report suggests that the identification of multiple transient episodes without a lead point requires careful surgical evaluation to ensure no occult malignancy was missed. Because the intussusceptions in this case were idiopathic, the surgical approach focused on reduction rather than resection, which is the removal of a section of the bowel.

The Cureus report concludes that while adult idiopathic intussusception is rare, the possibility of multiple transient events should be considered in patients presenting with intermittent bowel obstruction symptoms when imaging is inconclusive.