Intussusception (telescoping intestines)

Abdomen | Gastroenterology | Intussusception (telescoping intestines) (Disease)


Description

Intussusception is the most common cause of intestinal obstruction in children between ages three months and six years. Male babies are affected four times as often as female babies. In terms of symptomatic and evolutionary need to differentiate between acute intussusception of infants and chronic or subacute large child.

The most common intussusception are found between 3-9 months and elective affects boys twice as often than girls. Painful crisis occurs in the first full state of apparent health: the child is heartbreaking scream that alerts the mother grips her hands, shake their legs. Crisis takes 3-5 minutes and then the baby is calm. Painful crises occur within 10-30 minutes then, but of low intensity.

Symptomatic occlusion triad plus classic, but only in late stage and sometimes even then, as the case of ECSC-colic intussusception, a little tight, which can grow up to boudins exteriorization through the anus without causing obstruction.

Causes and Risk factors

Intussusception occurs when a portion of the intestine folds like a telescope, with one segment slipping inside another segment. This causes an obstruction, preventing the passage of food that is being digested through the intestine. The walls of the two telescoped sections of intestine press on each other, causing irritation and swelling. Eventually, the blood supply to that area is cut off, which can cause damage to the intestine. The cause of intussusception is not known. It may occur more frequently in people who have relatives who also had intussusception.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Emergency medical care is required to treat intussusception 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. A barium or air enema can correct the telescoping intestine and successfully treat intussusception. If an enema works, further treatment is usually not necessary. If the intestine is torn or if an enema is unsuccessful in correcting the problem, 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.

In some cases, intussusception may be temporary and improve on its own without treatment. If no underlying medical condition is found that caused the intussusception, no further treatment is necessary. ...