Fusion of intussusceptum and intussuscipiens in intrauterine intussusception: A rare type of intestinal atresia

Intrauterine intussusception is well known as one of the rare causes of int estinal atresia, Although the polypoid intussusceptum is usually observed a t the obstructed end on the distal side, a few cases with the polypoid lesi on located apart from the blind end have been reported. To elucidate the et iology of separated polypoid intussusceptum, we reviewed 42 surgical cases of jejunal or ileal atresia over the last 12 years at Kobe Children's Hospi tal, Kobe, Japan. Of the 42 cases, 11 were intrauterine intussusception. Tw o of the 11 cases were associated with polypoid intussusceptums separated f rom the obstructed ends; the intestinal portion between the polypoid intuss usceptum and the obstructed end showed a partial two-fold proper muscle wal l and a mesenteric structure invaginated between the two walls. Another cas e showed linear ulcers facing each other on both the intussusceptum and int ussuscipiens, Linear ulceration and subsequent fusion of the intussusceptum and intussuscipiens are suggested to be the pathogenesis of the first two cases.