Right hemicolectomy for ileocolonic intussusception in an adult with active COVID-19 infection: a case report

The most common symptoms of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are fevers, fatigue and dry cough. However, growing data suggest gastrointestinal (GI) manifestations occur in the majority of patients. Small bowel obstruction remains a significant cause of surgical abdominal emergencies in the adult population, although most cases are secondary to adhesive disease. We present a case of ileocolonic intussusception in an adult with active COVID-19 infection. Our patient presented with small bowel obstruction 4 days after diagnosis of COVID-19 with typical respiratory symptoms. Imaging revealed ileocolonic intussusception and possible cecal mass for which a right hemicolectomy was performed. Recovery was unremarkable. Pathology suggested necrosis without an identifiable mass. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first documented case of small bowel obstruction secondary to ileocolonic intussusception in an adult related to GI manifestation of COVID-19.