Is intussusception life-threatening?
Intussusception is a life-threatening illness. If left untreated, it can cause serious damage to the intestines, since their blood supply is cut off. Intestinal infection can occur, and the intestinal tissue can also die.
When should I worry about intussusception?
Intussusception is a medical emergency. Call your doctor or get emergency medical help right away if your child has any symptoms of intussusception, such as: repeated crampy belly pain. vomiting.
Can you live with intussusception?
Intussusception can be a life-threatening condition. When one part of the intestine slides into another, food can't pass through. Blood can't get to the area either, which can cause a tear in the bowel, infection, and internal bleeding.
How quickly does intussusception progress?
The main symptom of intussusception is severe abdominal pain that comes and goes. Each episode tends to last two to three minutes. In between episodes, the child will look very pale, tired and floppy. After 12 hours or so the pain becomes more constant, and the child will usually go off food and may vomit.
What is the main cause of intussusception?
The cause of intussusception is not known, although viral infections may be responsible in some cases. It may be caused by an abnormality (such as a polyp) in the intestines or as a result of recent intestinal surgery. In most children there is no abnormality present, and the cause is unknown.
How long can intussusception go untreated?
The prognosis for intussusception is excellent if treated quickly, but if untreated it can lead to death within two to five days. The longer the intestine segment is prolapsed and the longer it goes without a blood supply, the less effective a non-surgical reduction.
What's the best treatment for intussusception?
The surgeon will free the portion of the intestine that is trapped, clear the obstruction and, if necessary, remove any of the intestinal tissue that has died. Surgery is the main treatment for adults and for people who are acutely ill.
Can intussusception fix itself?
In many cases, it can be corrected during diagnostic testing. Sometimes it goes away on its own. In some cases, surgery may be needed. If not treated, intussusception can be life-threatening.
How do I get rid of intussusception?
Once intussusception is diagnosed, the next step is to attempt reduction (to push the intestine back) using a liquid contrast enema or air contrast enema (the same tests that are used for diagnosis). This is a radiologic procedure, not a surgical procedure, and your child doesn't need anesthesia.
Does intussusception always require surgery?
Due to the fact that adult intussusception is often frequently associated with malignant organic lesions, surgical intervention is necessary. Treatment usually requires formal resection of the involved bowel segment.
Is intussusception permanent?
A severe complication of a bowel obstruction can be permanent damage to your intestine. If this occurs, a surgeon will perform an operation to remove the section of dead tissue and rejoin the two healthy ends of your intestine.
How common is intussusception?
Babies and young children are more likely than adults to get intussusception. Intussusception is most common in babies younger than age 1, and about 90 percent of cases occur in children younger than age 3. Intussusception is rare in adults. Only about 5 percent of cases of intussusception occur in adults.
What are the classic signs of an intussusception?
The main symptom of intussusception is severe, crampy abdominal pain alternating with periods of no pain. Painful episodes may last 10 to 15 minutes or longer, followed by periods of 20 to 30 minutes of no pain, after which the pain returns.
How do I know if I have intussusception?
To confirm the diagnosis, your doctor may order: Ultrasound or other abdominal imaging. An ultrasound, X-ray or computerized tomography (CT) scan may reveal intestinal obstruction caused by intussusception. Imaging will typically show a "bull's-eye," representing the intestine coiled within the intestine.
Can intussusception self resolve?
Approximately two-thirds of small bowel intussusceptions are transient and self-limiting, but surgical reduction may be required in some cases.
Can intussusception correct itself?
In many cases, it can be corrected during diagnostic testing. Sometimes it goes away on its own. In some cases, surgery may be needed. If not treated, intussusception can be life-threatening.
What are the symptoms of adult intussusception?
When symptoms of adult intussusception are present, they may include abdominal pain as well as nausea and vomiting. These symptoms may come and go, often leading people to go weeks before seeking medical attention.
How old is too old to have intussusception?
However, about 70 percent of cases occur during the first 2 years of life, while 90 percent occur in children up to 3 years old. Intussusception is also slightly more common in males.
What causes intussusception in adults?
Additional causes in adults. A polyp, tumor, or scar tissue in the intestine may trigger intussusception in adults. A digestive disorder, such as Crohn’s disease, may also lead to intussusception. Weight loss surgery or other procedures on the intestine may cause intussusception, too.
Why does intussusception form?
It’s not always clear why intussusception forms, though in some cases, it’s due to a growth in the intestine , such as a polyp or tumor.
What is the primary approach for adults with intussusception and children who are very ill with the condition?
Surgery is the primary approach for adults with intussusception and children who are very ill with the condition.
Does intussusception cause pain?
Should intussusception result in decreased blood flow in the affected area, this pain may become constant.
When does intestinal obstruction occur in children?
Intussusception is the most common cause of intestinal obstruction in children under 3 years old. Children are most likely to experience the condition between ages 6 to 18 months.
What is intussusception?
Intussusception is a life-threatening illness and occur s when a portion of the intestine folds like a telescope, with one segment slipping inside another segment. This causes an obstruction, preventing the passage of food that is being digested through the intestine.
How is intussusception reduced?
Whether open surgery or laparoscopic, the intussusception is carefully reduced by gently pushing the leading portion of the intussusceptions back upstream to reduce the telescoping of the bowel. If the surgeon is unable to successfully reduce the bowel, then the afflicted section will need to be removed.
How long does it take for an intussusception to recur?
There is a chance the intussusception can recur within 24 hours. For that reason, after the bowel is reduced, your child will stay in the hospital for an additional day to ensure there is not a recurrence. Most of the time the enema will take care of the bowel problem. However, in 10-15 percent of cases, the bowel cannot be reduced ...
How often do boys develop intussusception?
Intussusception is rarely seen in newborn infants. Boys develop intussusception four times more often than girls. Although 80 percent of the children who develop the condition are less than 2 years old, intussusception can also occur in older children, teenagers and adults.
What is the target like sign on ultrasound?
On ultrasound, a target-like sign can be seen that is indicative of intussusception. Air or contrast enema: This procedure can be diagnostic, and in some cases serve as the treatment for intussusception. Air or a contrast fluid is given into the rectum as an enema.
How long does it take for a child to recover from intussusception?
If your child had surgery to treat intussusception, he will recover in the post-acute care unit for an hour or so, and then will be moved to a hospital room.
Can you treat intussusception with contrast enema?
Treatment. Intussusception is not usually immediately life-threatening. It can be treated with either a water-soluble contrast enema or an air-contrast enema, which both confirms the diagnosis of an intussusception, and in most cases successfully reduces it.
How long does intussusception last?
The main symptom of intussusception is severe, crampy abdominal pain alternating with periods of no pain. Painful episodes may last 10 to 15 minutes or longer, followed by periods of 20 to 30 minutes of no pain, after which the pain returns.
How to treat intussusception?
How is intussusception treated? 1 Your child is fully sedated by a pediatric anesthesiologist (a specialist in pain relief and sedation in children). 2 If laparoscopy will be performed, small instruments and a camera will be inserted through small incisions (cuts) into the abdominal cavity. 3 Alternatively, a small incision is made on the right side of the abdomen, and the intestine is pushed back into its normal position. 4 If the intussusception can’t be reduced, then the surgeon will remove the involved segment of bowel.
What causes intussusception in children?
In some children, it is caused by a condition that the child is born with, such as a polyp or diverticulum.
Where does intussusception occur?
Although intussusception can occur anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract, it usually occurs at the junction of the small and large intestines.
Can an ultrasound show intussusception?
Although intussusception can sometimes be felt as an abdominal mass during a physical examination, ultrasonography is able to identify the mass with 100% accuracy, and is the first radiologic test ordered for patients who are thought to have intussusception.
Causes
For most cases of intussusception in children, the cause is unknown. Viral infection or a growth in the intestine, such as a polyp, lymph node or tumor, may trigger it. In the past, some cases of intussusception seemed to be associated with a version of the rotavirus vaccine.
Diagnosis
Your infant’s physician may recommend several test, including the following:
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What is intussusception in children?
Intussusception is a serious problem in the intestine. It occurs when one part of the intestine slides inside another part. The intestine then folds into itself like a telescope. This creates a blockage or obstruction. It stops food that is being digested from passing through the intestine.
What causes intussusception?
Experts don’t know what causes intussusception. It may occur more often in children who have a family history of the disorder.
What are the symptoms of intussusception in a child?
Intussusception is a medical emergency. If you think your child may have the disorder, see your child's healthcare provider right away.
How is intussusception diagnosed in a child?
Your child’s healthcare provider will take a health history and give your child a physical exam. Imaging studies are also done to check the belly (abdominal) organs. These tests can be very upsetting to your child. As much as possible, and in an age-appropriate manner, explain to your child what will be happening and why it's happening before the procedure. These tests may include:
Is intussusception a medical emergency?
Intussusception is a serious problem in the intestine. It's a medical emergency.