Intussusception (medical disorder)

Intussusception
An intussusception as seen on CT
Specialty	Gastroenterology, pediatrics, general surgery
Symptoms	Abdominal pain, vomiting, bloody stool[1]
Complications	Peritonitis, bowel perforation[1]
Usual onset	Over days to weeks in a 6- to 18-month-old[1]
Causes	Unknown, lead point[1]
Diagnostic method	Medical imaging[1]
Differential diagnosis	Pyloric stenosis[1]
Treatment	Enema, surgery[1]
Medication	Dexamethasone[2]

Intussusception is a medical condition in which a part of the intestine folds into the section immediately ahead of it.^[1] It typically involves the small intestine and less commonly the large intestine.^[1] Symptoms include abdominal pain which may come and go, vomiting, abdominal bloating, and bloody stool.^[1] It often results in a small bowel obstruction.^[1] Other complications may include peritonitis or bowel perforation.^[1]

The cause in children is typically unknown; in adults a lead point is sometimes present.^[1] Risk factors in children include certain infections, diseases like cystic fibrosis, and intestinal polyps.^[1] Risk factors in adults include endometriosis, bowel adhesions, and intestinal tumors.^[1] Diagnosis is often supported by medical imaging.^[1] In children, ultrasound is preferred while in adults a CT scan is preferred.^[1]

Intussusception is an emergency requiring rapid treatment.^[1] Treatment in children is typically by an enema with surgery used if this is not successful.^[1] Dexamethasone may decrease the risk of another episode.^[2] In adults, surgical removal of part of the bowel is more often required.^[1] Intussusception occurs more commonly in children than adults.^[1] In children, males are more often affected than females.^[1] The usual age of occurrence is six to eighteen months old.^[1]