Abstract

Background: Transient intussusception in children is a condition that is incidentally diagnosed during radiological scans and regresses spontaneously. Monitorization and management of transient intussusception in children can be successfully done using an algorithm based on clinical and ultrasonographic findings.

Material and Methods: Sonographic, and clinical data of 5 children admitted to our hospital and diagnosed as transient intussusception were retrospectively evaluated.

Results: Common findings in our transient intussusception patients were; 1) They were in good general condition. 2) Whether they had abdominal pain or not, none of them had abdominal guarding or rebound. 3) None of them had bilious vomiting and bloody stool as described in clinical triad. 4) None of them developed bloody stool and bilious vomiting during their 24 hour follow-up. 5) Their average age was greater than average intussuscepiton age. 6) Short segment of the bowel was affected according to sonographic findings. 7) Sonographically, there was no oedema in the wall of the affected segment. 8) There was no dilation in bowel loops proximal to the intussusception on sonograms. 9) Absence of a specific leadpoint on US. 10) US findings of preexisting invagination in the patients with these criteria spontaneously regressed as detected on control sonograms obtained 24 hours after admission.

Conclusion: Management, and monitorization of transient intussusception in children can be successfully achieved using an algorithm based on clinical and ultrasonographic findings. In this way unnecessary interventions/surgeries and further radiological scans which use higher doses of radiation can be prevented.