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Acute intussusception: a classic clinical picture?

S Fanconi, D Berger, P P Rickham

    Helvetica Paediatrica Acta
    |September 1, 1982
    PubMed

    Insights

    Diagnosing acute intussusception in children requires high awareness, as classic symptoms like rectal bleeding are often absent early on. Prompt diagnosis is crucial for successful reduction and avoiding bowel resection.

    Area of Science:

    • Pediatric Surgery
    • Gastroenterology

    Background:

    • Acute intussusception is a common surgical emergency in infants and young children.
    • Delayed diagnosis can lead to significant morbidity, including bowel resection and mortality.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To retrospectively analyze the clinical presentation of acute intussusception in pediatric patients.
    • To evaluate the diagnostic challenges and outcomes associated with acute intussusception.

    Main Methods:

    • Retrospective review of 57 pediatric patients surgically treated for acute intussusception between 1972 and 1979.
    • Analysis of presenting symptoms, diagnostic accuracy, and surgical outcomes.

    Main Results:

    • The classic intussusception symptom complex was infrequently present in the initial hours of illness.
    • Rectal bleeding, a key indicator, was observed in only 5% of patients during the early stages.
    • Vomiting (44%) and colicky pain (33%) were also inconsistent early findings, leading to diagnostic delays.

    Conclusions:

    • A high index of suspicion is essential for early diagnosis of acute intussusception in children.
    • Accurate and timely diagnosis directly impacts the ease of reduction and the necessity for bowel resection.
    • Clinical awareness must be heightened to recognize intussusception even with atypical presentations.

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