Ultrasound Value in the Diagnosis of Intussusception

Abstract

ABSTRACT:BACKGROUND:Intussusception is an invagination of one portion of the intestine into the lumen of an immediately adjoining part.OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound in the diagnosis of intussusception.PATIENTS AND METHODS:This is a prospective study of 50 cases of intussusception in the Central Child s Teaching Hospital in the period between April 2008 and February 2010.forty five patients (90%) were below 6 months and five patients ( 10%) were above 6 monthsMale patients predominated and the male to female ratio was (1.2:1).Seasonal variation was seen in primary intussusception (i.e. in age group of 6 to 24 months old) with peak incidence in spring and summer.Abdominal pain and vomiting were the most common symptoms in intussusception (92% and 88% respectively), followed by bleeding per rectum (76%), abdominal mass was found in 66% and constipation was found in 28%.RESULTS:The diagnostic tool used was the ultrasound for fifty patients; in forty five cases ,diagnosis was made by a characteristic ultrasonic findings of intussusception (i.e. target sign or pseudokidney sign), forty three patients of the group had a classical intussusceptions' mass during operative procedure, the rest (i.e. 2) had negative operative findings for intussusception.5 of the patients, the ultrasonic findings were negative for intussusception preoperatively (no mass), but during surgery we found an intussusception mass.CONCLUSION:So ultrasound study in our hospital gives us sensitivity of 95.5% to diagnose intussusception