Pediatric intussusception should see which department?

Written by Hu Qi Feng
Pediatrics
Updated on September 25, 2024
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Intussusception often occurs in infants and young children, so the main symptoms are vomiting, bloody stools, and abdominal pain. Therefore, the initial consultation is usually in pediatric emergency. When intussusception is suspected as a cause of acute abdomen, the doctor will conduct intestinal tube and abdominal ultrasound examinations. If the ultrasound confirms intussusception, a transfer to pediatric surgery or emergency surgery may be considered for appropriate surgical treatment. Thus, the initial choice for consultation is usually pediatrics, but after a diagnosis is confirmed, treatment should be transferred to pediatric surgery.

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Written by Hu Qi Feng
Pediatrics
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Can intussusception heal itself?

Once intestinal intussusception occurs, only a small part can be spontaneously reduced. In most cases, urgent reduction treatment is required, including non-surgical and surgical treatments. Non-surgical treatment mainly involves enema therapy. Within 48 hours of the intussusception, if the overall condition is good, the abdomen is not distended, and there are no obvious signs of dehydration or electrolyte imbalance, barium enema treatment can be applied. If the duration of the intussusception exceeds 48 to 72 hours, or if the condition is severe with intestinal necrosis or perforation, surgical treatment is necessary.

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Written by Quan Xiang Mei
Pediatrics
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How to treat intussusception in children?

Intussusception in children is a common surgical condition. The treatment approach depends on the severity of the child's clinical symptoms. If the intestines have not been telescoped for long, and the intestinal mucosa has not suffered ischemic necrosis, and if the clinical symptoms are mild, air enema can be used to relieve the intussusception without the need for surgery. However, if the clinical symptoms are severe and necrosis has been prolonged, meaning the intestinal mucosa has reached a state of ischemia and necrosis that is irreparable, surgical treatment in a surgical setting is definitely required. Whether surgery or air enema is needed should be decided based on the actual color ultrasound results and a comprehensive diagnosis by the clinician.

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Written by Hu Qi Feng
Pediatrics
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Does intussusception require a CT scan?

Intussusception is commonly diagnosed through routine abdominal ultrasound examinations, which have a positive rate of over 90%. In the ultrasound, the transverse section of the intussusception can show concentric circles or target ring-shaped mass images, and the longitudinal section may reveal the sleeve sign. Additionally, a barium enema can be employed, along with X-ray imaging. Under X-ray, the lead point of intussusception appears as a mass shadow, and air enema reduction treatment can be performed concurrently. Generally, CT is not used as a routine diagnostic tool.

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Written by He Zong Quan
General Surgery
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Can intestinal intussusception have bowel movements?

After the occurrence of intussusception, the patient's symptoms often manifest as those of intestinal obstruction, causing significant abdominal pain, cessation of gas and stool passage through the anus, and a palpable abdominal mass can be felt. Imaging studies can clearly indicate signs of intussusception. Once intussusception occurs, the patient stops passing stool, and symptoms such as vomiting and nausea also occur. Once diagnosed, it is crucial to treat promptly, including air enema reduction or surgical treatment, to promptly address the symptoms of intussusception, prevent the worsening of intestinal obstruction symptoms, and avoid severe complications such as intestinal necrosis, which can endanger the patient's life.

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Written by Quan Xiang Mei
Pediatrics
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Does intussusception cause diarrhea?

Intussusception is a common surgical condition in infants and young children, characterized primarily by symptoms such as abdominal pain, crying, abdominal distension, the passage of jelly-like stools, and vomiting. Some children may also experience diarrhea and frequent passage of jelly-like stools, where the symptoms of intussusception may not be particularly noticeable, leading parents to possibly overlook them. Therefore, if a child has diarrhea accompanied by jelly-like stools, it is crucial to take the child to the hospital for a consultation and an ultrasound to confirm whether it is caused by intussusception. If left untreated for a long time, it can lead to ischemic necrosis of the intestinal mucosa, necessitating surgical treatment.