Chronic intussusception in children.

Nine children presented with intussusception lasting for 14 days or more. Their mean age was 8.5 years. Diagnosis of intussusception was delayed considerably, probably due to an unusual presentation. Compared with acute intussusception, symptoms consist of infrequent attacks of abdominal pain, sporadic vomiting and no, or small, changes in defecation. Marked weight loss and an abdominal mass assume diagnostic significance, in contradiction to bloody stools. Ultrasonography can be of diagnostic value. An attempt at hydrostatic reduction is often unsuccessful. A high frequency of organic lesions precipitating intussusception warrants early surgical intervention.