Abdominal catheter-induced intussusception following renal transplantation in two pediatric recipients: 2 cases report and literature review

BACKGROUND: Intussusception is a frequent abdominal emergency in the pediatric population when the proximal bowel invaginates into the distal bowel. However, catheter-induced intussusception has not previously been described in pediatric renal transplant recipients, and the risk factors need to be investigated. CASE DESCRIPTION: We report 2 cases of post-transplant intussusception which were caused by abdominal catheters. Case 1 experienced ileocolonic intussusception 3 months after renal transplantation and presented with intermittent abdominal pain; the intussusception was successfully managed using air enema. However, this child experienced a total of 3 episodes of intussusception within 4 days, which discontinued only after removal of the peritoneal dialysis catheter. No further intussusception recurrence was observed and the patient’s intermittent pain disappeared during the follow-up. Case 2 developed ileocolonic intussusception 2 days after renal transplantation and presented currant jelly stools. The intussusception was completely irreducible until the intraperitoneal drainage catheter was eliminated; the patient discharged normal feces during the following days. A search in the databases of PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase yielded 8 similar cases. Our 2 cases had a younger age at disease onset than those retrieved in the search, and abdominal catheter was revealed as a lead point. Possible leading points of the 8 previously reported cases included post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD), acute appendicitis, tuberculosis, lymphocele, and firm adhesions. We noted that our cases were managed successfully with nonoperative treatment, whereas the 8 reported cases underwent surgical intervention. All of the 10 cases of intussusception occurred after renal transplantation and showed that intussusception had been induced by a lead point. CONCLUSIONS: Our 2 cases implied that abdominal catheter could be a lead point to induce intussusception, especially in pediatric recipients with abdominal disorder. This experience may be applicable to other surgeries involving indwelling abdominal catheters in children. Health practitioners should consider this pathologic lead point and avoid serious consequences when intussusception occurs.