Ultrasound-Guided Hydrostatic Reduction of Childhood Intussusceptions Using Water Enema

Conventional hydrostatic barium reduction or pneumatic reduction of intussusception is associated with considerable ionizing radiation. The aim of this study was to evaluate ultrasound-guided hydrostatic reduction for childhood intussusception using water enema. A total of 76 children who diagnosed as having intussusception were referred to Doctor Sheikh Children Hospital in Mashhad (northeast Iran) during a 4.5-year period from March 2002 to September 2006. Hydrostatic reduction of intussusception was performed under sonographic guidance in 66 patients, whereas, 10 patients were excluded due to clinical contraindications. The disease was observed mostly at the age of 5-9 months. In 53% of patients, there was a recent history of gastroenteritis or common cold. The most common site of intussusception was the transverse colon (49%) with the mean duration of 22.1±17.3 hours. The overall rate of successful reduction was 78.8% and the mean reduction time of 14.8±18.56 minute. The successful reduction rate would have been 94.5%, if the patients with gangrene were excluded. We conclude that ultrasound-guided hydrostatic reduction using water enema is an optimal, simple, and safe procedure for the treatment of childhood intussusceptionIran J Med Sci 2006; 31(4): 224-227. Keywords ● Children ● invagination ● intussusception ● water enema