Intussusception

Date Updated: 01/19/2021

Overview

Intussusception (in-tuh-suh-SEP-shun) is a serious condition in which part of the intestine slides into an adjacent part of the intestine. This telescoping action often blocks food or fluid from passing through. Intussusception also cuts off the blood supply to the part of the intestine that's affected. This can lead to a tear in the bowel (perforation), infection and death of bowel tissue.

Intussusception is the most common cause of intestinal obstruction in children younger than 3 years old. The cause of most cases of intussusception in children is unknown. Though intussusception is rare in adults, most cases of adult intussusception are the result of an underlying medical condition, such as a tumor.

In children, the intestines can usually be pushed back into position with a minor procedure. In adults, surgery is often required to correct the problem.

Symptoms

Children

The first sign of intussusception in an otherwise healthy infant may be sudden, loud crying caused by abdominal pain. Infants who have abdominal pain may pull their knees to their chests when they cry.

The pain of intussusception comes and goes, usually every 15 to 20 minutes at first. These painful episodes last longer and happen more often as time passes.

Other frequent signs and symptoms of intussusception include:

Stool mixed with blood and mucus — sometimes referred to as currant jelly stool because of its appearance
Vomiting
A lump in the abdomen
Weakness or lack of energy
Diarrhea

Not everyone has all of the symptoms. Some infants have no obvious pain, and some children don't pass blood or have a lump in the abdomen. Some older children have pain but no other symptoms.

Adults

Because intussusception is rare in adults and symptoms of the disorder often overlap with the symptoms of other disorders, it's more challenging to identify. The most common symptom is abdominal pain that comes and goes. Nausea and vomiting also may occur. People sometimes have symptoms for weeks before seeking medical attention.

When to see a doctor

Intussusception requires emergency medical care. If you or your child develops the signs or symptoms listed above, seek medical help right away.

In infants, remember that signs of abdominal pain may include recurrent bouts of pulling the knees to the chest and crying.

Causes

Your intestine is shaped like a long tube. In intussusception, one part of your intestine — usually the small intestine — slides inside an adjacent part. This is sometimes called telescoping because it's similar to the way a collapsible telescope slides together.

In some cases in adults, the telescoping is caused by an abnormal growth in the intestine, such as a polyp or a tumor (called a lead point). The normal wavelike contractions of the intestine grab this lead point and pull it and the lining of the intestine into the bowel ahead of it. In most cases, however, no cause can be identified for intussusception.

Children

In the vast majority of cases of intussusception in children, the cause is unknown. Because intussusception seems to occur more often in the fall and winter and because many children with the problem also have flu-like symptoms, some suspect a virus may play a role in the condition. Sometimes, a lead point can be identified as the cause of the condition — most frequently the lead point is a pouch in the lining of the small intestine (Meckel's diverticulum).

Adults

In adults, intussusception is usually the result of a medical condition or procedure, including:

A polyp or tumor
Scar-like tissue in the intestine (adhesions)
Weight-loss surgery (gastric bypass) or other surgery on the intestinal tract
Inflammation due to diseases such as Crohn's disease

Risk factors

Risk factors for intussusception include:

Age. Children — especially young children — are much more likely to develop intussusception than adults are. It's the most common cause of bowel obstruction in children between the ages of 6 months and 3 years.
Sex. Intussusception more often affects boys.
Abnormal intestinal formation at birth. Intestinal malrotation is a condition in which the intestine doesn't develop or rotate correctly, and it increases the risk of intussusception.
Certain conditions. Some disorders — such as cystic fibrosis, Henoch-Schonlein purpura (also known as IgA vasculitis), Crohn's disease and celiac disease — can increase the risk of intussusception.

Complications

Intussusception can cut off the blood supply to the affected portion of the intestine. If left untreated, lack of blood causes tissue of the intestinal wall to die. Tissue death can lead to a tear (perforation) in the intestinal wall, which can cause an infection of the lining of the abdominal cavity (peritonitis).

Peritonitis is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention. Signs and symptoms of peritonitis include:

Abdominal pain
Abdominal swelling
Fever
Vomiting

Peritonitis may cause your child to go into shock. Signs and symptoms of shock include:

Cool, clammy skin that may be pale or gray
A weak and rapid pulse
Abnormal breathing that may be either slow and shallow or very rapid
Anxiety or agitation
Profound listlessness

A child who is in shock may be conscious or unconscious. If you suspect your child is in shock, seek emergency medical care right away.

Diagnosis

Your or your child's doctor will start by getting a history of the symptoms of the problem. He or she may be able to feel a sausage-shaped lump in the abdomen. To confirm the diagnosis, your doctor may order:

Ultrasound or other abdominal imaging. An ultrasound, X-ray or computerized tomography (CT) scan may reveal intestinal obstruction caused by intussusception. Imaging will typically show a "bull's-eye," representing the intestine coiled within the intestine. Abdominal imaging also can show if the intestine has been torn (perforated).

Treatment

Treatment of intussusception typically happens as a medical emergency. Emergency medical care is required to avoid severe dehydration and shock, as well as prevent infection that can occur when a portion of intestine dies due to lack of blood.

Treatment options for intussusception may include:

A water soluble contrast or air enema. This is both a diagnostic procedure and a treatment. If an enema works, further treatment is usually not necessary. This treatment can actually fix intussusception 90% of the time in children, and no further treatment is needed. If the intestine is torn (perforated), this procedure can't be used.

Intussusception recurs up to 20% of the time, and the treatment will have to be repeated. It is important that a surgeon be consulted even if treatment with enema is planned. This is because of the small risk of a tear or rupture of the bowel with this therapy.
Surgery. If the intestine is torn, if an enema is unsuccessful in correcting the problem or if a lead point is the cause, surgery is necessary. The surgeon will free the portion of the intestine that is trapped, clear the obstruction and, if necessary, remove any of the intestinal tissue that has died. Surgery is the main treatment for adults and for people who are acutely ill.

In some cases, intussusception may be temporary and go away without treatment.

Preparing for an appointment

Emergency medical care is required to treat intussusception. You may not have much time to prepare for an appointment.

What to expect from your doctor

Your child's doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions, including:

When did your child begin experiencing abdominal pain or other symptoms?
Does your child's pain appear to be continuous — or is it occurring off and on?
Does the pain begin and end suddenly?
Has your child experienced nausea, vomiting or diarrhea?
Have you noticed any blood in your child's stool?
Have you noticed any swelling or a lump in your child's abdomen?

What you can do in the meantime

Don't give your child any over-the-counter medications to treat symptoms before the appointment. Don't give your child anything to eat if you see any of the signs or symptoms of intussusception. Seek immediate medical attention.