Intussusception

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Medical Author: David Perlstein, MD, FAAP
Medical Editor: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

• 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?
• Intussusception At A Glance

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-tion" 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 6 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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