Overview
Ileocecal intussusception involves the telescoping of one segment of the intestine into the adjacent segment, most commonly affecting infants and young children, leading to bowel obstruction and potential ischemia 1.Diagnosis
Clinical Presentation: Classic triad includes abdominal pain, vomiting, and passage of currant jelly stools 1.
Imaging: Abdominal ultrasound is the primary diagnostic tool, showing a "pseudo-kidney" sign or "beak" indicative of intussusception 1.
Other Tests: Contrast enema can confirm diagnosis and be therapeutic 1.Management
Primary Treatment: Non-surgical reduction via air or contrast enema is first-line, successful in approximately 85-90% of cases 1.
Surgical Intervention: Indicated for failed reduction, bowel perforation, or ischemia; typically involves resection of the involved segment 1.
Post-reduction Care: Close monitoring for recurrence, often with empirical antibiotic coverage 1.Special Populations
Pediatrics: Significant reduction in incidence observed post-COVID-19 outbreak, with notable shifts in complication ratios 1.Key Recommendations
Utilize abdominal ultrasound as the initial diagnostic tool for suspected ileocecal intussusception (Evidence: Strong 1).
Employ air or contrast enema for both diagnosis and initial treatment, prioritizing non-surgical reduction (Evidence: Strong 1).
Consider surgical intervention for cases failing non-surgical reduction, bowel perforation, or signs of ischemia (Evidence: Moderate 1).References
1 Hong JH, Baek K. Temporal trends in pediatric intestinal intussusception following the COVID-19 outbreak in Seoul, Korea. Pediatrics international : official journal of the Japan Pediatric Society 2025. link