Intussusception
David Perlstein, MD, MBA, FAAP
Dr. Perlstein received his Medical Degree from the University of Cincinnati and then completed his internship and residency in pediatrics at The New York Hospital, Cornell medical Center in New York City. After serving an additional year as Chief Pediatric Resident, he worked as a private practitioner and then was appointed Director of Ambulatory Pediatrics at St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx.
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.
- Intussusception facts
- What is intussusception?
- What happens during intussusception?
- Is intussusception an urgent problem?
- Who is at greatest risk for intussusception
- What causes intussusception?
- Why is rapid diagnosis of intussusception important?
- What are the symptoms of intussusception?
- How is intussusception diagnosed?
- Is it necessary to operate when there is intussusception?
- What is the prognosis (outlook) for patients with intussusception?
- Find a local Gastroenterologist in your town
Intussusception facts
- Intussusception is the infolding (telescoping) of one segment of the intestine within another.
- Intussusception usually results in a blockage of the intestine.
- Intussusception occurs primarily in infants (boys more often than girls) but can also occur in adults and older children.
- The primary symptoms of intussusception include abdominal pain and vomiting.
- Early diagnosis and treatment of intussusception are essential to save the intestine and the patient.
What is intussusception?
Intussusception is the telescoping of one segment of intestine into another adjacent distal ("downstream") segment of the intestine. (The term "intussusception" is pronounced "in-tuh-suh-sep-shun" with the accent on the "in." It comes from the Latin "intus", within + "suscipere", to receive = to receive within). Common mispellings of intussusception include: intususception, intussuseption, intersusception.
Intussusception is the most common cause of intestinal obstruction in children between 3 months and five years of age. It is extremely rare in children under 3 months of age or in older children and adults.
What happens during intussusception?
During intussusception, a segment of bowel (intussusceptum) telescopes into a more distal segment (intussuscipiens), and drags the associated mesentery, vessels, and nerves with it. This results in compression of the veins, followed by swelling of the region leading to obstruction and a subsequent decrease in blood flow to the affected part of the intestine. Almost 90% of cases affect the ileocolic region of the intestine (where the small intestine meets the large intestine).
The compression of blood vessels in the involved intestine reduces the supply of blood to the affected intestine. If the blood supply is greatly reduced, the involved intestine may swell, causing an obstruction, or even die (become gangrenous) and bleed. It also may rupture and lead to abdominal infection and shock.
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