Intussusception (medical disorder)
Intussusception is a medical condition in which a part of the intestine folds into the section immediately ahead of it. It typically involves the small bowel and less commonly the large bowel. Symptoms include abdominal pain which may come and go, vomiting, abdominal bloating, and bloody stool. It often results in a small bowel obstruction. Other complications may include peritonitis or bowel perforation.
| Intussusception | |
|---|---|
| An intussusception as seen on CT | |
| Specialty | Pediatrics, general surgery |
| Symptoms | Abdominal pain, vomiting, bloody stool |
| Complications | Peritonitis, bowel perforation |
| Usual onset | Over days to weeks in a 6- to 18-month-old |
| Causes | Unknown, lead point |
| Diagnostic method | Medical imaging |
| Differential diagnosis | Pyloric stenosis |
| Treatment | Enema, surgery |
| Medication | Dexamethasone |
The cause in children is typically unknown; in adults a lead point is sometimes present. Risk factors in children include certain infections, diseases like cystic fibrosis, and intestinal polyps. Risk factors in adults include endometriosis, bowel adhesions, and intestinal tumors. Diagnosis is often supported by medical imaging. In children, ultrasound is preferred while in adults a CT scan is preferred.
Intussusception is an emergency requiring rapid treatment. Treatment in children is typically by an enema with surgery used if this is not successful. Dexamethasone may decrease the risk of another episode. In adults, surgical removal of part of the bowel is more often required. Intussusception occurs more commonly in children than adults. In children, males are more often affected than females. The usual age of occurrence is six to eighteen months old.