Intussusception in infancy and childhood.

Experiences of the diagnosis and treatment of 41 patients with intussusception are presented. The most common signs and symptoms upon presentation were vomiting (83%), colicky pain (83%), rectal bleeding (66%) and abdominal mass (51%). All four features occurred together in only 20% of cases. Ultrasound was the primary mode of investigation in four children, giving a finding characteristic of intussusception. 27 patients were examined with barium enema, and hydrostatic reduction was tried. A barium enema gave the correct diagnosis on all cases and a successful reduction of sign and symptoms in 12 patients (44%). In the other 29 cases laparotomy was performed to achieve reduction, primarily in 14 patients and after an unsuccessful barium edema in 15.84% of the patients presenting after a delay of more than 24 hours needed surgery, compared with 59% of those presenting earlier.