Why does intussusception cause bleeding?

Written by Li Chang Yue
General Surgery
Updated on June 11, 2025
00:00
00:00

Patients experience bleeding in cases of intussusception primarily because the segment of intestine that telescopes into another suffers from poor blood supply, or ischemia and hypoxia, ultimately leading to ischemic and hypoxic hemorrhagic changes in the intestinal wall. As a result, patients often exhibit symptoms such as bloody stools or stool that resembles jam. The occurrence of bleeding in intussusception generally indicates a relatively severe case. Treatment methods vary between adults and children. For children with intussusception, manual reduction or air or barium enema can be used to perform pressure reduction, allowing the intussusception to be treated conservatively without the need for surgical intervention. However, for adults, if bleeding is present, it indicates that the intussusception is severe and might be due to tumors or other space-occupying lesions, necessitating active surgical treatment. This approach is effective in stopping the bleeding and identifying the underlying cause of the condition.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Hu Qi Feng
Pediatrics
1min 11sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Quan Xiang Mei
Pediatrics
53sec home-news-image

Pediatric intussusception clinical manifestations

Intussusception often occurs in infants and young children. The symptoms of intussusception in infants and young children primarily include abdominal pain, crying, and vomiting as the main clinical manifestations. Frequent vomiting, abdominal distension, and abdominal pain are symptoms, with children exhibiting sudden abdominal distension, sudden abdominal pain, and sudden sharp screams. The most typical symptom of intussusception is the excretion of jelly-like stool, which resembles tomato sauce or jelly. These are common clinical presentations of intussusception in children. Some children who are less neurologically sensitive may only show symptoms of lethargy, mild vomiting, diarrhea, and the passing of jelly-like stool.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
46sec home-news-image

Symptoms of intussusception in babies

Intussusception in infants initially manifests as vomiting, including the contents of the stomach and sometimes even a coffee-colored liquid. Subsequently, the infant may appear inconsolably fussy and experience abdominal pain, which is communicated through crying, as infants are unable to speak. Additionally, the stool may appear like jam or contain pus and blood, which is due to bleeding from the intestinal mucosa and intestinal tubes. Upon observing these symptoms, it is crucial to seek medical attention promptly and conduct further examinations at a hospital, such as an abdominal ultrasound and an upright abdominal X-ray, to confirm the diagnosis.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Peng
General Surgery
55sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by He Zong Quan
General Surgery
44sec home-news-image

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.