THE ROLE OF POINT OF CARE ULTRASOUND IN ADULT INTUSSUSCEPTION

Received 2023-07-12; Accepted 2023-10-02; Published 2024-01-31

Abstract

Adult intussusception is a rare clinical condition often characterized by vague symptoms in patients. The rarity of this condition can complicate and delay its diagnosis, especially when patients present to district hospitals that have limited imaging modalities, such as computed tomography (CT) scans. In such circumstances, point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) assumes a pivotal role in diagnosing intussusception in adults, as ultrasonography devices are typically readily available in emergency departments. This paper presents a case involving a 23-year-old female who presented with nonspecific abdominal pain at a district hospital and was eventually diagnosed with intussusception.
However, owing to the rarity of the case, the unusual nature of the presenting complaints, and the clinician’s limited exposure and experience with ultrasound findings related to intussusception, the diagnosis posed a considerable challenge. Nevertheless, the timely and expert application of POCUS proved to be a life-saving intervention, as intussusception was successfully diagnosed at the bedside in the emergency department in tertiary hospital. This case underscores the critical importance of proper training in POCUS for diagnosing adult intussusception.