Ultrasound-guided water enema: an alternative method of nonoperative treatment for childhood intussusception

Ultrasound-guided water enema (USWE) reduction was performed in 115 patients with intussusception, which was diagnosed by ultrasound between April 1988 and August 1992 at Keimyung University Dongsan Medical Center. The overall rate of successful reduction was 80.9%. The rate was 91.0% for patients with symptoms of < or = 24 hours' duration, and 61.1% for patients with symptoms of more than 24 hours' duration (P < .001). Six patients had recurrence during the study period (recurrence rate, 5.2%). There was no perforation or other complications during and after the water enema reduction. The authors conclude that (1) USWE reduction for childhood intussusception has a higher rate of successful reduction and a lower rate of recurrence than does barium enema and (2) USWE is safe and may be an alternative method in the nonoperative treatment of intussusception.