Intussusception - Part 1: A review of diagnostic approaches

The vast majority of symptomatic intussusceptions in children arise in the ileum and are either ileocolic or ileoileocolic. The clinical diagnosis of these "idiopathic" intussusceptions may be difficult to make. Failure to make a prompt diagnosis and initiate appropriate treatment may lead to bowel ischemial perforation, peritonitis, shock and even death. The clinician, therefore, may have to rely on imaging procedures to diagnose or exclude the presence of intussusception promptly and accurately. The imaging diagnosis of intussusception can be made with sonography or plain abdominal radiographs or by contrast (including air) enema examinations of the colon. This article highlights the current concepts and some controversial issues related to the imaging diagnosis of intussusception.