Jejunal Intussusception Caused by a Nasointestinal Ileus Tube

A 79-year-old man was admitted to our hospital due to pleural empyema. After 4 weeks of antimicrobial therapy and pleural drainage, he recovered but complained of new-onset abdominal pain. Abdominal computed tomography revealed adhesive small bowel obstruction and a nasointestinal ileus tube with intermittent suction was inserted. This procedure initially decreased his abdominal pain, but severe abdominal pain and vomiting developed 3 days later. Repeat abdominal computed tomography revealed jejuno-jejunal intussusception due to the nasointestinal ileus tube. Our patient was initially treated conservatively. However, he underwent surgical reduction due to clinical deterioration 1 day after diagnosis and died from a surgical complication 19 days later. Intussusception is a rare but fatal complication caused by placement of a nasointestinal ileus tube in the small intestine. Because urgent operative reduction is needed to avoid intestinal resection in most cases, early diagnosis and surgical reduction of intussusception are critical. LEARNING POINTS: Intussusception is a rare but fatal complication caused by placement of a nasointestinal ileus tube. Intussusception should be suspected if abdominal pain and distention worsen after placement of a nasointestinal ileus tube. Urgent operative reduction is needed for intussusception due to a nasointestinal ileus tube.