From a clinical perspective, using a cutoff age of 3 years is helpful for dividing patients with intussusception into two groups. Patients aged 5 months to 3 years who have intussusception rarely have a lead point (ie, idiopathic intussusception) and are usually responsive to nonoperative reduction. Older children and adults more often have a surgical lead point to the intussusception and require operative reduction.
The presence of peritonitis and any evidence of perforation revealed on plain radiographs are absolute contraindications to an attempt at nonoperative reduction with a therapeutic enema. The value of repeated attempts at nonoperative reduction, if the first attempt is unsuccessful, has not been determined. Laparoscopy can be performed in all cases of intussusception. Reduction of the intussusception, confirmation of radiologic reduction, and detection of lead points have all been reported.
For more on the treatment of intussusception, read here.
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Cite this: Jaime Shalkow. Fast Five Quiz: Are You Prepared to Confront Intussusception? - Medscape - Apr 25, 2016.
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