Ultrasound-guided hydrostatic reduction of ileo-colic intussusception in childhood: first-line management for both primary and recurrent cases

Abstract

Objective

To evaluate the results of ultrasonography-guided hydrostatic reduction in primary and recurrent ileo-colic intussusception in children.

Methods

The children (<18 years of age) who were managed for ileo-colic intussusception between January 2015 and December 2018 were evaluated retrospectively. Age, gender, presenting complaints, length of the intussuscepted segment, presence of lead point, treatment modalities, recurrence rates and duration of recurrence were evaluated.

Results

108 patients with ileo-colic intussusception were enrolled in the study; 59 were male and 49 were female with a mean age of 2.04 ± 1.71 years. Two patients underwent immediate surgery without any attempt of hydrostatic reduction. Nineteen patients (18%) were managed by conservative measures initially. Seventeen (89.5%) of them have recovered with expectant management and two patients required hydrostatic enema reduction during follow-up. In total, 89 patients underwent hydrostatic reduction; 48 were male and 41were female with a mean age of 1.9 ± 1.65 years. Twelve patients (13.5%) received surgery after failed hydrostatic reduction. In the patients with successful hydrostatic reduction, one more episode of intussusception is seen in 10 patients (13%) and 2 additional episodes in 2 (2.6%). Seven patients with relapse were male and 5 were female with a mean age of 1.16 ± 1.64 years. The median duration of the first relapse episode was 67.5 days (range 18–110 days). The ultrasound-guided hydrostatic reduction was also successful in patients with recurrence.

Conclusion

Ultrasound-guided hydrostatic reduction is a non-invasive treatment of ileo-colic intussusception with high success rates in childhood. It can be performed safely in both initial and relapse episodes of intussusception.

Keywords:

• Intussusception
• transient intussusception
• recurrence
• hydrostatic reduction

Acknowledgments

The authors thank to all the fellows of the Pediatric Emergency Department and Radiology Department who are involved in the management of the patients.

Disclosure statement

None of the authors have anything to disclose.