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Small bowel intussusception in celiac disease
N Mushtaq1, S Marven, J Walker
1Department of Paediatric Surgery, Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust, England.
Insights
Intussusception is a rare but recognized complication of celiac disease. Spontaneously resolving small bowel intussusception in children warrants celiac disease investigation.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Gastrointestinal Radiology
Background:
- Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder triggered by gluten ingestion.
- Intussusception, a gastrointestinal emergency, is typically associated with other pediatric conditions.
- The link between celiac disease and intussusception is not widely established.
Observation:
- The authors present three pediatric cases of intussusception.
- All cases involved spontaneously resolving small bowel intussusception.
- Celiac disease was identified in association with these intussusception events.
Findings:
- Small bowel intussusception in children suspected of having celiac disease should be managed expectantly.
- Early surgical intervention may not be necessary for these cases.
- Transient intussusception detected via imaging necessitates celiac disease screening.
Implications:
- This study highlights the importance of considering celiac disease in pediatric intussusception.
- Diagnostic imaging for intussusception can serve as a screening tool for celiac disease.
- A non-surgical approach may be appropriate for select cases, reducing patient risk and healthcare costs.
Abstract:
Intussusception is not a widely recognized complication of celiac disease and yet it is not rare. The authors report on 3 children with spontaneously resolving small bowel intussusception in association with celiac disease. Small bowel intussusception in a child with suspected celiac disease initially should be managed expectantly rather than by early surgical reduction. The finding of transient small bowel intussusception, either by contrast radiology or sonography, should prompt investigation for celiac disease.