Childhood Intussusception: Ultrasonography Effectiveness in Imaging Modalities for the Diagnosis | Insight Medical Publishing

Intussusception is a term originated from the Latin intus (within) and suscipere (to receive). A bowel segment (intussusceptum) enters another just distal to it (intussuscipiens) leading to occlusion. The intestine itself can be a 'telescope' (a non-pathological starting point - up to 75%) or some pathology may be the focus point of invagination (pathological lead point). The mesentery of the intussuscepted bowel gets compressed. The intestinal wall becomes widened and the lumen gets obstructed. Peristalsis breaks down and this causes colic abdominal pain and vomiting. Lymphatic and venous occlusions occur and lead to ischemia. Mostly in children the intussusception is ileocaecal, but ileo-ileocolic and ileoileal or colocolic cases can be also seen.