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Imaging and intussusception

Correspondence to:
Dr H Williams, Radiology Department, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, Steelhouse Lane, Birmingham B4 6NH, UK; helen.williams@bch.nhs.uk

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Intussusception is one of the most common surgical emergencies in childhood although many patients will present initially to paediatricians. Imaging has a major role both in the diagnosis and management of this condition. Intussusception occurs when a segment of bowel invaginates into an immediately adjacent segment, often likened to a telescope. The proximal, inner (inverting) segment of bowel is called the intussusceptum, and the outer distal (receiving) segment the intussuscipiens. The intussusceptum is propagated distally by bowel peristalsis leading to compression and angulation of the mesenteric vessels which causes reduced perfusion, venous congestion and bowel wall oedema, leading to ischaemia and eventually bowel necrosis. The physical presence of an intussusception also causes bowel obstruction, with colicky abdominal pain, distension and vomiting. Intussusception can occur at any age but is most common in the first two years of life, with its peak incidence between the ages of 3–9 months. . . . [Full text of this article]