Clinical study of intussusception in infancy and childhood: comparing the result of barium enema with that of air enema

ABSTRACT

Intussusception is the most common cause of acquired intestinal obstruction during infancy and early childhood and requires early diagnosis and treatment. We observed 431 cases of intussusception who admitted at Chungang Gil Hospital from January 1987 to June 1991, and compared the result of treatment with Barium Enema in 302 cases with that of Air Enema in 129 cases. The results were as follows; 1) In sex distribution, males were more affected than females as a ratio of 21. 2) In age incidence, 78.2% of the cases were between 3~10 months. 3) Slight seasonal prevalence was noted in spring and autumn. 4) The common symptoms and signs were cyclic irritability (89.1%), vomiting (78.9%), bloody stool (84.9%) and abdominal mass(43.1%). 5) The common diseases accompanied were URI (39.7%), AGE (13.0%) and UTI(1.2%). 6) 5.8% of cases were visited after the 48 hours of symptom onset, in these cases the operation rate was 39.1%. So the longer duration of symptoms persists, the lower reduction rate follows. 7) The most common type of intussusception was ileocolic type, and the lowest reduction rate was noted in ileoileocolic type. 8) In the reduction rate, 87.4% with Barium Enema and 89.1% with Air Enema. 9) After 24 hours of symptom onset, the reduction rate, 74.4% with Barium Enema and 78.6% with Air Enema. 10) Recurrence rate was 9.3% with Barium Enema and 7.8% with Air Enema. 11) In Barium Enema, 1 case of bowel perforation was observed, and he expired with barium peritonitis, in Air Enema, 2 cases of bowel perforation were observed, and cured after operation. 12) We observed some advantages in Air Enema such as simplicity, high reduction rate and absence of fatal complications. And we think that Air Enema is a useful diagnstic and treatment method of intussusception.