Adult Burkitt’s lymphoma presenting as intussusception: first UK case report

Abstract

Colonic intussusception is rare in adults and can present with non-specific symptoms that can make diagnosis difficult and delayed. Unlike in children, it is commonly due to a pathological lead point that is often malignant. This case is the first reported case of adult intussusception due to Burkitt's lymphoma in the UK. We describe the case of a 22-year-old woman who presented with 4-week history of intermittent epigastric pain. On the third hospital admission, the diagnosis was made by abdominal computed tomography, which showed the 'target' sign, suggestive of intussusception. A right hemicolectomy was performed and histology later confirmed Burkitt's lymphoma. This case demonstrates the difficulty in diagnosing intussusception in adults, which must be considered in recurrent abdominal pain when more common causes have been ruled out. The rare diagnosis of Burkitt's lymphoma made early diagnosis and treatment important.

Intestinal intussusception due to BurkittÓ?s lymphoma in an adult. First report in Latin America

“…In fact, up to date, less than 20 cases have been reported in adults. Simson et al 4 , in 2017, reported the first case in the United Kingdom of a 22-year-old patient whose diagnose was performed through a CT scan of the abdomen and was later derived to surgical management. Reports have also been carried out in Turkey 5 , Portugal 6 and Korea 7 , among others, but so far none has been described in Latin America.…”

Sporadic Burkitt’s lymphoma presenting as intussusceptions in a 12-year-old Chinese boy

“…Sporadic BL attacks regions outside Africa, and majority of cases occur in the United States (US) and Western Europe. Sporadic BL frequently involves distal ileum, caecum and mesentery, presenting symptoms include abdominal swelling due or pelvic mass, abdominal pain and intussusception-related symptoms of bowel obstruction [8]. Intussusception in itself is a very rare presentation of BL.…”

An unusual cause of large bowel obstruction: are we aware of this?

“…Burkitt´s lymphoma is a highly aggressive malignancy usually affecting children and young adults. In more elderly population its incidence is low, with patients 20-30 years of age showing a figure of 0.6 per million [ 4 ]. The first reported case of BL was observed in young children from Africa by Burkitt in 1958.…”