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Tests and diagnosis
By Mayo Clinic staffYour doctor or your child's doctor will ask about symptoms and do 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. 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.
To confirm a diagnosis of intussusception, the doctor may recommend several tests, including the following:
- X-ray or other abdominal imaging. Taking images of your abdomen or your child's abdomen with X-ray, ultrasound or computerized tomography (CT) scans 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 only use barium 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 pictures 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.
