1. Intussusception

2. Description Intusussusception is the most common cause of intestinal obstruction in infants and young children. It is more common in male children and the cause is predominately idiopathic in 90% of cases, but can have pathologies which have predisposing factors.

3. Symptoms  Insatiable crying  Distended abdomen or abdominal mass  Abdominal pain  Bloody stool (currant jelly stool)  Vomiting

4. Pathologic Condition  One portion of the intestines folds or slides into itself commonly referred to as telescoping  Occurring usually at the junction of the small and large intestines.

5. Radiographic Diagnosis  Air or barium enema  Ultrasound  Computerized Tomography ( CT ) can be used, but due to the high doses of radiation it is usually not performed.

6. Treatment  Barium enema  Surgery to remove the damaged intestines