Transient versus surgically managed small bowel intussusception in children: Role of ultrasound

BACKGROUND: To evaluate and compare the ultrasound (US) features of transient small bowel intussusception (SBI) with those which required surgical management. MATERIALS AND METHODS: US features of 26 children with 32 intussusceptions from January 2014 to August 2014 were recorded and compared with follow-up imaging or surgical findings. RESULTS: Transient SBI when compared to surgically managed intussusception has shorter length of intussusception (mean 2.25 cm, range 1.8-4.5 cm vs. mean 5.6 cm, range, 2.3-7.8 cm), smaller transverse diameter (mean, 1.2 cm, range 0.8-2.3 cm vs. mean, 3.3 cm, range 2.9-5.4 cm) and thin wall (mean, 3.3 mm, 2.3-4.9 mm vs. mean, 6.8 mm, range, 4.3-11.2 mm). Four out of five surgically managed intussusceptions were associated with the lead point while none of the transient SBI had any lead point. Peristalsis was absent in all surgically managed intussusceptions. CONCLUSION: Transient SBI is associated with a shorter length of intussusception, smaller transverse diameter, thin walls, absence of the lead point and visible peristalsis. All these findings may help in distinguishing it from those requiring surgical management.