Myxoma of the small intestine complicated by ileo-ileal intussusception: Report of an extremely rare case.

INTRODUCTION: Myxomas of the small intestine are extremely rare types of primary bowel neoplasms. Their presence can trigger intestinal intussusception in the adults. We present the eighth case of intestinal myxoma reported in the English literature. PRESENTATION OF CASE: Our patient is a 44-year-old Caucasian female who presented with clinical and imaging findings of intestinal intussusception. Laparotomy revealed ileo-ileal intussusception caused by an intramural mass of the middle-ileum which was resected. Histological and immunohistochemical studies pointed to the diagnosis of benign intestinal myxoma, while imaging studies of the heart excluded a synchronous cardiac myxoma. Twenty months after surgery she remains disease-free. DISCUSSION: The myxoma is a benign, true neoplasm which resembles primitive mesenchyme. It occurs predominantly in the heart and is also found in several soft tissues and bones. Myxomas seem to grow at different rates of speed, they infiltrate adjacent structures and they do not metastasize, apart from cardiac variants. Intestinal myxomas share some clinical characteristics which are emphasized.
CONCLUSION: Myxomas of the small intestine should be included in the differential diagnosis of ileal tumors in middle-aged women manifesting as intestinal intussusception. Treatment should include wide resection of the affected intestinal segment with primary anastomosis. A close follow-up control of the patients along with cardiac imaging evaluation is recommended postoperatively, in order to detect and treat any possible recurrence of the tumor or a synchronous cardiac myxoma.