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Intussusception in traditional pediatric, nontraditional pediatric, and adult patients

Alexis A Cochran1, George L Higgins, Tania D Strout

  • 1Maine Medical Center, Department of Emergency Medicine, Portland, ME 04102, USA. Cochra@mmc.org

The American Journal of Emergency Medicine
|September 10, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Intussusception occurs more frequently in non-traditional pediatric and adult age groups than previously thought. Diagnostic approaches and causes of intussusception differ significantly across age demographics.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Pediatric Surgery
  • Radiology

Background:

  • Intussusception is a condition where one part of the intestine slides into another.
  • Traditionally, intussusception is most common in infants and young children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the incidence of intussusception in traditional pediatric, nontraditional pediatric, and adult age groups.
  • To compare patient characteristics and outcomes across these age groups.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of patient records.
  • Analysis of 95 cases of intussusception diagnosed between October 1999 and June 2008.

Main Results:

  • Incidence: 61 traditional pediatric (64%), 12 nontraditional pediatric (13%), 22 adult (23%).
  • Bloody stool was more common in traditional pediatric patients.
  • Diagnostic imaging varied by age: CT scan most common in nontraditional pediatric and adult groups.
  • Bowel resection was more frequent in traditional pediatric patients.
  • Causative pathologies included adenitis (pediatric), Peutz-Jeghers polyp (nontraditional pediatric), and carcinoma (adult).

Conclusions:

  • Intussusception incidence is higher in nontraditional pediatric and adult groups than previously reported.
  • Symptoms, management, and causes of intussusception vary significantly with age.
  • Adult intussusception requires thorough diagnostic evaluation due to potentially serious underlying causes.
Abstract

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