Intussusception in adults.

A review of intussusception in adults treated over a 12-year period is presented. In most cases intussusception was ileocolic in type and symptoms were nonspecific. Benign neoplasms and idiopathic causes were more prevalent in small bowel cases while malignant neoplasms were more common when the colon was involved. In 38% of the cases, no obvious cause for the intussusception was found. All cases were treated surgically, usually by reduction or resection or both.