An intussusception occurs when one bowel loop (intussusceptum) invaginates into another section of bowel (intussuscipiens), akin to a telescopic movement. It is mainly a childhood disease, however contributes to 1% of all adult intestinal obstructions. When it occurs in adults it is usually associated with a lead point like a neoplasm or polyp with the commonest benign neoplasm being a lipoma.

While ultrasound is the modality of choice in children for the diagnosis of intussusception, in adults, CT is the diagnostic modality . Also, childhood intussusception a have a high rate of spontaneous or post hydrostatic reduction, whereas in adults such cases are surgically corrected.