Ileoileocolic intussusception in children: diagnosis and significance.

The ileoileocolic type of childhood intussusception is difficult to diagnose pre-operatively and is associated with increased morbidity. This study describes the clinical and imaging features of 10 consecutive ileoileocolic intussusceptions diagnosed ultrasonically in 10 patients over a 36 month period. Ultrasound-guided hydrostatic reduction using Hartmann's solution was attempted in all 10 patients. Clinical and imaging features were compared with those of 28 ileocolic intussusceptions in 25 patients diagnosed and treated using the same methods during the same period. Most of the clinical and plain radiographic features of the patients with the ileoileocolic and ileocolic types of intussusception were similar. The two types of intussusception had the classical doughnut or pseudokidney, or both, signs on pre-reduction ultrasound scans. During the reduction process, when surrounded by fluid within the caecal lumen, the ileoileocolic type of intussusception had a typical complex appearance due to frond-like loops of intussuscepted small bowel. This finding was present in all cases. The hydrostatic reduction rate was only 10% (1/10) for ileoileocolic intussusception, compared with 92.9% (26/28) for the ileocolic type. All unsuccessfully-reduced cases underwent surgery, with surgical confirmation of the intussusception type in all cases. Only one patient was found to have a lead point, caused by a Meckel's diverticulum. In conclusion, the diagnosis of ileoileocolic intussusception can be made pre-operatively and these patients require surgical management.