What tests need to be done for intussusception?

Written by Quan Xiang Mei
Pediatrics
Updated on December 25, 2024
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Intussusception is a common surgical disease in infants and young children, characterized clinically by crying, abdominal pain, abdominal distention, the passage of jelly-like stools, and vomiting. Auxiliary examinations for this condition primarily involve abdominal ultrasonography, though occasionally an abdominal X-ray can be performed. If a child experiences intussusception, treatment can vary depending on the severity; mild cases might be treated with an air enema. However, if the symptoms of intussusception are severe and prolonged, leading to ischemic necrosis of the intestines, surgical intervention is definitely required. In summary, the examination for intussusception primarily involves abdominal ultrasonography.

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Written by Hu Qi Feng
Pediatrics
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Infant intussusception typical symptoms

The typical clinical manifestations of intussusception are as follows: Firstly, abdominal pain, which occurs in paroxysmal, regular episodes, characterized by sudden onset of severe colicky pain. The child appears restless and cries, with knees drawn to the abdomen, pale complexion, and relief coming after several minutes or longer; the pain reoccurs every ten to twenty minutes. Secondly, vomiting is an early symptom, initially reflexive containing milk curds or food residues, later possibly containing bile, and in the late stage, fecal-like liquid may be vomited. Thirdly, bloody stools are a significant symptom, appearing within the first few hours; initially, stools may appear normal, later becoming scanty or absent. In about 85% of cases, a jam-like mucousy bloody stool is passed within six to twelve hours of onset, or bloody stools are found upon rectal examination. Fourthly, abdominal mass is often found in the right upper quadrant just below the ribs, where a slight movable intussusception mass can be palpated, resembling a sausage.

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Written by Zhang Peng
General Surgery
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Causes of Intussusception in the Elderly

Intussusception refers to an obstruction caused by one segment of the intestine entering an adjacent segment, which can occur at any age. In adults, over 85% of intussusception cases can be attributed to organic lesions, typically tumors, but also possibly due to polyps or diverticula in the intestines. Typical symptoms of intussusception may include abdominal pain, an abdominal mass, and jelly-like bloody stool. In adults, intussusception is generally treated surgically. The surgical approach often involves exploratory laparotomy, possibly involving intestinal resection and anastomosis. For the resected part, reinforced suturing is usually required. If a primary anastomosis cannot be tolerated, procedures such as creating a stoma or exteriorizing the intestine may be performed, awaiting stabilization of the condition before further treatment.

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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
55sec home-news-image

What tests need to be done for intussusception?

Intussusception is a common surgical disease in infants and young children, characterized clinically by crying, abdominal pain, abdominal distention, the passage of jelly-like stools, and vomiting. Auxiliary examinations for this condition primarily involve abdominal ultrasonography, though occasionally an abdominal X-ray can be performed. If a child experiences intussusception, treatment can vary depending on the severity; mild cases might be treated with an air enema. However, if the symptoms of intussusception are severe and prolonged, leading to ischemic necrosis of the intestines, surgical intervention is definitely required. In summary, the examination for intussusception primarily involves abdominal ultrasonography.

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Written by Hu Qi Feng
Pediatrics
1min 9sec home-news-image

How is intussusception in infants caused?

Intussusception is divided into primary and secondary types, with 95% being primary, commonly seen in infants. This is due to the fact that the mesentery at the ileocecal region in infants is not fully fixed and has greater mobility, which are structural factors that facilitate intussusception. For the 5% of secondary cases, these are more common in older children, whose intestines often have clear organic causes for intussusception. These causes include the inversion of a Meckel's diverticulum into the ileal lumen serving as a lead point; intestinal polyps, intestinal tumors, intestinal duplications, and abdominal purpura can cause thickening and swelling of the bowel wall leading to intussusception. Additionally, certain facilitating factors can disrupt the rhythm of intestinal peristalsis, thereby inducing intussusception. Changes in diet, viral infections, and diarrhea are among the factors that can trigger intussusception.