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Back pain as the only presenting symptom of intussusception: a case report

William DeGoff1, Jane E Anderson, Tina Chen

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University of California-San Francisco, 2330 Post Street, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA.

Clinical Pediatrics
|July 31, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Intussusception diagnosis can be challenging, as symptoms vary. This case highlights back pain as a sole indicator in a child, urging pediatricians to consider this condition in similar presentations.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Diagnostic Challenges in Pediatrics

Background:

  • Intussusception is a common cause of bowel obstruction in infants and young children.
  • Typical symptoms include abdominal pain, vomiting, and bloody stools (hematochezia).
  • Atypical presentations can delay diagnosis and treatment.

Observation:

  • A pediatric case is presented where a young child exhibited only back pain as a symptom of intussusception.
  • This atypical presentation highlights the diagnostic challenges associated with intussusception.

Findings:

  • Intussusception can manifest with isolated back pain, deviating from the classic triad of symptoms.
  • The case underscores the importance of considering intussusception even in the absence of typical gastrointestinal distress.

Implications:

  • Pediatricians should maintain a high index of suspicion for intussusception in children presenting with intermittent abdominal or back pain.
  • Broadening the differential diagnosis for pediatric back pain can lead to earlier detection and improved outcomes for intussusception.

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