Ultrasonographic and clinical predictors of intussusception.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to determine the positive and negative clinical predictors of intussusception and the correlation of ultrasonography and air enema in establishing this diagnosis.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a prospective descriptive cohort study.

SETTING

This study was performed in a tertiary care pediatric emergency department.

PARTICIPANTS

Eighty-eight of 245 candidates were assessed for clinical predictors of intussusception. All 245 cases were examined for correlation between ultrasonography and air enema.

INTERVENTIONS

A questionnaire, ultrasonography, and air enema were used.

RESULTS

Thirty-five of the 88 patients assessed for clinical predictors were positive for intussusception. Significant positive predictors were right upper quadrant abdominal mass (positive predictive value [PPV] 94%), gross blood in stool (PPV 80%), blood on rectal examination (PPV 78%), the triad of intermittent abdominal pain, vomiting, and right upper quadrant abdominal mass (PPV 93%, p = 0.0001), and the triad with occult or gross blood per rectum (PPV 100%, p = not significant). Significant negative predictors were a combination of > or = 3 of 10 clinically significant negative features (negative predictive value 77%, p = 0.035). Of the total 245 cases, intussusception (as confirmed by doughnut, target, or pseudokidney sign) was ruled out by ultrasonography in 97.4%. Alternate ultrasound findings comprised 27% of negative cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Excellent positive predictors of intussusception were identified prospectively. Although no reliable negative predictors were found, patients at low risk may be screened by ultrasonography.