The value of colonoscopy and ultrasonography in the diagnosis of chronic intussusception in childhood.

Ultrasonography and colonoscopy were diagnostic for chronic intussusception in a 6-year-old girl. After an episode of acute gastroenteritis the child developed non-specific recurrent abdominal symptoms, which were considered to be functional. While the ultrasonographic pattern alone was too unspecific to establish the correct diagnosis, the colonoscopic findings were diagnostic of intussusception. This case report demonstrates that ultrasonography and colonoscopy are complementary, radiation-independent but reliable diagnostic procedures for detecting organic bowel disorders in children presenting with recurrent abdominal symptoms.