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Intussusception

Mark Stephens, MD MS Reviewed 04/2024
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Invagination (telescoping) of a portion of intestine into itself. Generally involves the small intestine.

    • May involve any part of small intestine or ileocolic (95%) or colocolic segme...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • In children look for following triad (has a 93% positive predictive value for intussusception, however, occurs in less than 25% of cases):

    • Intermittent colicky abdominal pain (episodes...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • IV fluid resuscitation

  • Foley catheter (if severely dehydrated)

  • Nasogastric tube

  • Antibiotics if necrotic bowel present

  • Pain control

  • Antiemetics

  • Surgical consultation

  • Nonoperative car...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Monitor patients who need surgical reduction for postoperative complications. 

Patient Monitoring

Office visit 1 to 2 weeks after discharge 

DIET

Progress diet as tol...

REFERENCES

1
Carroll AG, Kavanagh RG, Ni Leidhin C, et al. Comparative effectiveness of imaging modalities for the diagnosis and treatment of intussusception: a critically appraised topic. Acad Radiol....

ADDITIONAL READING

  • González-Carreró Sixto C, Baleato González S, García Palacios JD, et al. Intestinal intussusception in adults: location, causes, symptoms, and therapeutic management. Rad...

SEE ALSO

Cystic Fibrosis; Henoch-Schönlein Purpura; Intestinal Obstruction 

CODES

ICD10

K56.1 Intussusception 

SNOMED

  • 49723003 Intussusception of intestine (disorder)

  • 17186003 Ileocolic intussusception

  • 27673007 Intussusception of colon

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • The classic presentation for intussusception is intermittent infantile abdominal pain, vomiting, and currant jelly stools with a palpable right lower quadrant mass following an upper r...

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