In adults, intussusception is often considered what until proven otherwise?

In adults, intussusception is often considered a mass until proven otherwise because it typically presents as a focal bowel obstruction that can be palpated on physical examination or identified through imaging studies. This condition involves a segment of the intestine folding into itself, which can create a palpable mass where the telescoped segment swells.

While it can manifest with symptoms like abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting, intussusception may not present with the classic triad of symptoms typically observed in children. Therefore, when an adult presents with unexplained abdominal symptoms, the presence of a mass is strongly considered. Appropriate imaging, such as a CT scan, is used to confirm the diagnosis and differentiate intussusception from other abdominal masses or conditions.

The other options such as hernia, inflammation, or abscess may also present similarly but do not capture the specific nature of intussusception as accurately as the concept of a mass, underscoring its importance in differential diagnosis for this condition in adults.