Intussusception is a disorder in which one segment of the intestine slides into another, much like the parts of a telescope. The affected segments obstruct the bowel and block blood flow.

• The cause of intussusception is unknown.
• Symptoms include episodes of stomach pain and vomiting that start suddenly and come and go several times per hour, and then later, stools may become bloody.
• An air enema can confirm the diagnosis and also treat the condition.
• Sometimes surgery is needed.

Intussusception is the most common cause of intestinal blockage among children between the ages of 3 months and 3 years. Boys are affected slightly more than girls. In most cases, the cause is unknown. Intussusception occasionally affects older children, in whom it is often caused by something in the intestine such as a polyp, Meckel diverticulum (see Digestive Disorders in Children: Meckel Diverticulum), or tumor. Children who have cystic fibrosis (see Cystic Fibrosis (CF): Cystic Fibrosis) are also at risk of developing intussusception. Sometimes, the sliding (telescoping) segments return to normal without treatment. If not, the telescoping segments block the intestine and then shut off the blood flow (called ischemia) to the affected area. If blood flow is shut off for more than a few hours, the affected intestine may die (develop gangrene). If a segment of the intestine dies, small holes (perforations) can develop, allowing bacteria to enter the abdominal cavity, resulting in a serious infection (peritonitis).

Symptoms

Intussusception usually causes episodes of stomach pain and vomiting to begin suddenly in a child who is otherwise healthy. The episodes typically last 15 to 20 minutes. At first, the child appears relatively well between episodes. Later, as ischemia develops, the pain becomes continuous, the child becomes irritable and/or lethargic, and some children pass currant jelly–like stools (stools containing blood and mucus) or develop a fever. Children who have a perforation appear ill and have pain when the abdomen is touched. Sometimes doctors can feel a sausage-shaped mass in the abdomen where the intussusception is located.

Diagnosis and Treatment

A doctor may suspect intussusception based on the child's symptoms and a physical examination. Ultrasonography can confirm the diagnosis. If ultrasonography confirms intussusception, an air enema is performed. With an air enema, the doctor puts air into the child's rectum through a small tube and then takes x-rays. The pressure of the air usually pushes the telescoped portion of the intestine back into place. The x-rays show whether the procedure was successful. If the air enema is successful, the child can be sent home after an overnight hospital stay. Parents are advised to watch for further symptoms because intussusception can recur in the next 1 to 2 days.

When intussusception is corrected with the air enema and not with a surgical procedure, it recurs in about 5 to 10% of children.

Surgery is needed if the child has signs of intestinal perforation, if the air enema is not successful in correcting the intussusception, or if the disorder recurs. In the case of a recurrence, surgery is done not only to correct the disorder but also to look for a polyp, tumor, or other abnormality that could explain why the intussusception recurred.

What Is Intussusception? One part of the intestine slides into another, much like the parts of a collapsible telescope. As a result, the intestine is blocked.

Last full review/revision November 2012 by William J. Cochran, MD