[Ultrasound-guided water enema for reduction of childhood intussusception]

Intussusception is a common abdominal emergency in infants and children. Ultrasonography and barium enema are very useful in diagnosis and treatment of this condition. The aim of the study was to assess the accuracy of ultrasound-guided saline enema for intussusception and to determine if some factors may improve the outcome of this technique.

Intussusception was diagnosed in 63 patients at the Clinic of Pediatric Surgery in Novi Sad. The study period was divided into two 2-year phases: phase I, from 2001 through 2002, and phase II, from 2003 through 2004. During phase I, besides barium enema and fluoroscopy, we started using ultrasonography and ultrasound-guided hydrostatic saline enema in the diagnosis and reduction of intussusception. In phase II, this method of reduction was routinely used in all cases. Our technique of ultrasonic reduction was similar to the conventional hydrostatic barium reduction, except the reservoir was higher than that of barium, analgosedation of patients was performed and in case of difficult and prolonged reduction, gentle manual pressure to the abdomen at right lower quadrant was used.

In phase I the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography in detecting intussusception was 53.8%, and 100% in phase II. The success rate of ultrasound-guided saline enema was 55.5% in phase I, and 83.8% in phase II. Only 6 patients (16.2%) underwent operative manual reduction of intussusception in phase II. There were no cases with boewl gangrene or perforations in both groups.

Ultrasonography is a useful screening tool in the diagnosis of intussusception. Tme main advantage of hydrostatic reduction with ultrasound guidance is avoidance of ionizing radiation. The success rate of this method of reduction may be increased with an integrated team approach to the management and with modifications of the technique.