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Tests and diagnosis
By Mayo Clinic staffTo confirm a diagnosis of intussusception, your child may need:
- A physical exam. The doctor may suspect intussusception or another type of intestinal obstruction if your child has a lump in the abdomen, along with intermittent pain or inconsolable crying.
- Blood or urine tests. Your child's doctor may order blood and urine tests, as well as a fecal occult blood test, which checks for blood in the stool.
- Ultrasound or other abdominal imaging. Taking images of your abdomen or your child's abdomen with an ultrasound, X-ray or computerized tomography (CT) scan may reveal intestinal obstruction caused by intussusception. Abdominal imaging also can show if the intestine has been torn (perforated).
- Air or barium enema. An air or barium enema is basically a colon X-ray. The doctor will likely use air first and use barium only if necessary as a second choice. During the procedure, the doctor will insert air or liquid barium into your colon or your child's colon through the rectum. This makes the images on the X-ray clearer. Sometimes an air or barium enema will correct intussusception, and no further treatment is needed. A barium enema can't be used if the intestine is torn.
References
- Intussusception. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec19/ch275/ch275c.html?qt=intussusception&alt=sh. Accessed July 25, 2010.
- Kitigawa S, et al. Intussusception in children. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 20, 2010.
- Anatomic problems of the colon. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/anatomiccolon/. Accessed July 25, 2010.
- Sondheimer JM, et al. Gastrointestinal tract. In: Hay WW, Jr., et al. Current Diagnosis and Treatment: Pediatrics. 19th ed. New York, N.Y.; McGraw Hill Medical: 2009. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=3403837. Accessed July 26, 2010.
- Rotavirus vaccine (RotaShield) and intussusception. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/rotavirus/vac-rotashield-historical.htm. Accessed July 26, 2010.
- Waseem M, et al. Intussusception. Pediatric Emergency Care. 2008;24:793.
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