Ultrasonographic diagnosis of intussusception in children

ABSTRACT

To asses the role of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of intussusception in children. Design: Retrospective review of medical records of the patients presenting with a tentative diagnosis of intussusception. Setting: Paediatric Surgical Units at Queen Mary's Hospital for Children, London and Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, UK. Subjects: Children admitted with a tentative clinical diagnosis of intussusception. Main Outcome Measures: The validity of ultrasound scan in confirming or refuting the diagnosis of intussusception. Ultrasound scan was employed in 57 children suspected to have an intussusception. It confirmed the diagnosis in 43 patients, in 39 of whom pneumatic reduction was attempted that successfully reduced intussusception in 34 [87%]. The diagnosis was refuted in 1 4 children, thus obviating the need for any further intervention. No false-positive or false-negative result was observed in this series. This study confirms that ultrasound is a safe, sensitive and specific investigation that may be used as on initial screening procedure, to confirm or refute the diagnosis, in patients in whom intussusception is suspected