Perforation during attempted intussusception reduction in children —a comparison of perforation with barium and air

This paper compares the effects on patients of perforation with barium and with air during attempted intussusception reduction by reviewing the clinical, radiological, surgical and pathological findings and sequelae in seven children who received barium and seven who received air. In both groups perforation occurred in infants under 6 months of age (with one exception) with a long duration of symptoms. All patients with barium enema required resection of bowel whereas only four with air enema required resection. Anesthetic times were longer in those patients with barium perforation in whom the intussusception did not move and there was a large leak. The patients with perforation due to air had a shorter hospital stay with decreased morbidity compared to those with perforation due to barium. Perforation occurred through areas of transmural necrosis in a minority of patients in each group. Perforations through normal bowel and shear injury (with air enema) indicate that increased pressure during the examination is an important factor in some patients. Because perforation with air is so much easier to deal with surgically and the children do better clinically, there is a tendency for some to consider perforation with air an inconsequential situation. However, a potential rare complication with this technique is tension pneumoperitoneum. Keeping this in mind, we continue to use air as the contrast of choice because the procedure in our hands is a safe, quicker and easier technique and we have achieved a substantial improvement in reduction rates. Overall reported perforation rates with air enema compare favourably with those due to barium enema.     

Air reduction of intussusception.

AIM: To show that intussusception in children is reducible in most cases, using air. METHODS: Initially we used a barium enema to treat paediatric intussusception. Now we use an air enema. We consider the latter reduction technique to be the method of choice in the treatment of intussusception in childhood. RESULTS: Over a period of 21 years, we have treated 151 patients presenting with intussusception. In a group of 130 children treated with barium enema we managed to reduce the intussusception in 110 cases (84.6 %). We used air pressure to treat a second group of 21 children; the success rate in this group was 100 %. CONCLUSIONS: In order to avoid a surgical operation this technique must become more generally known. We are of the opinion that if the method is applied correctly, it is almost always possible to correct intussusception using air.     

Perforation during gas reduction of intussusception

Perforation during attempted gas-enema reduction of intussusception is more common than during a barium enema. In a review of 650 consecutive attempted gas enemas, perforation occurred in 7 infants (1.1%). Gross abdominal distension from the pneumoperitoneum may be rapid and cause splinting of the diaphragm, which leads to acute respiratory distress. This complication is readily recognised at the time of the gas enema, and may require immediate intervention by paracentesis using a 14-gauge needle. A review of 7 children with intussusception in whom perforation occurred revealed that all had radiologic evidence of bowel obstruction (air-fluid levels) prior to the enema, and the patients had had a relatively long history since the onset of symptoms. No perforation occurred during a delayed repeat enema reduction. Perforation during gas enema produces minimal peritoneal contamination. No pathological lesion at the lead point of the intussusception was identified in any of the children in whom perforation occurred.     

Japanese guidelines for the management of intussusception in children, 2011

Background: The Japanese Society of Emergency Pediatrics has formulated evidence‐based guidelines for the management of intussusception in children in order to diagnose intussusceptions promptly, to initiate appropriate treatment as early as possible, and to protect intussuscepted children from death. Methods: Literature was collected systematically via the Internet using the key words “intussusception” and “children.” The evidence level of each paper was rated in accordance with the levels of evidence of the Oxford Center for Evidence‐based Medicine. The guidelines consisted of 50 clinical questions and the answers. Grades of recommendation were added to the procedures recommended on the basis of the strength of evidence levels. Results: Three criteria of “diagnostic criteria,”“severity assessment criteria,” and “criteria for patient transfer” were proposed aiming at an early diagnosis, selection of appropriate treatment, and patient transfer for referral to a tertiary hospital in severe cases. Barium is no longer recommended for enema reduction (recommendation D) because the patient becomes severely ill once perforation occurs. Use of other contrast media, such as water‐soluble iodinated contrast, normal saline, or air, is recommended under either fluoroscopic or sonographic guidance. Delayed repeat enema improves reduction success rate, and is recommended if the initial enema partially reduced the intussusception and if the patient condition is stable. Conclusions: The guidelines offer standards of management, but it is not necessarily the purpose of the guidelines to regulate clinical practices. One should judge each individual clinical situation in accordance with experiences, available devices, and the patient's condition.     

Are hydrostatic and pneumatic methods of intussusception reduction comparable?

The hydrostatic pressures and flow rates of barium sulphate and water soluble contrast in concentrations representative of those used for intussusception reduction were measured. The change of height with discharge of fluid from the filled kit was also assessed. A group of experienced paediatric radiologists and radiographers significantly underestimated the height to which contrast should be placed for intussusception reduction. The results indicate that baseline hydrostatic reduction pressures tend to be less and maximum pressures significantly less than those presently advocated for pneumatic reduction. This disparity may account for the apparent improvement in intussusception reduction rates reported for air enema when compared with barium enema. Intraluminal pressure monitoring during contrast enema would aid control of intussusception reduction but hydrostatic reduction would still be at a disadvantage because of lower flow rates. Where hydrostatic reduction is performed, the contrast density and height used should be set to give known pressure, according to local guidelines.     

Intussusception

Intussusception is the most common cause of intestinal obstruction in infancy and early childhood. It occurs when one segment of bowel (the intussusceptum) invaginates into an adjacent distal segment of bowel (the intussuscepien). The classical presentation is with intermittent abdominal pain, vomiting and redcurrant jelly-like stool. Diagnosis can be accurately confirmed with an ultrasound scan. Initial management is with fluid resuscitation and antibiotics. Following adequate resuscitation, treatment is usually with a non-operative air enema reduction under fluoroscopic guidance. If this fails to completely reduce the intussusception, the air enema may be repeated in patients that are clinically stable. The main risks associated with an air enema are bowel perforation, failed reduction and recurrence. Surgical intervention is indicated in patients presenting with perforation, those that are clinically unstable or where multiple air enemas have failed to reduce the intussusception. Surgery can be performed open or laparoscopic and involves attempted manual reduction of the intussusception and may require bowel resection and anastomosis.     

Intussusception: evolution of current management

The records of 583 children who were treated for intussusception at the Children's Hospital of Buffalo in the period 1930-1985 were reviewed. Following a change in management in 1970 from operative treatment to hydrostatic reduction of the intussusception by barium enema, two main groups are defined. In earlier years 95% of patients underwent operative reduction whereas in the latter period 92% had barium reduction attempted. The remaining 8% in this group had clinical contraindications for hydrostatic enema attempt. Ten percent had pathological lead points. Recurrent intussusception occurred in 50 cases (8.5%), 66% following barium enema reduction and 33% after surgery. The mortality in the earlier group was 3.9% and 1.3% in the latter group. No deaths occurred in patients treated successfully with barium enema reduction, and there were no deaths in the children with simple uncomplicated intussusception requiring surgery.     

Intestinal intussusception survey about diagnostic and nonsurgical therapeutic procedures

Objective. To provide an overview of the diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed by European paediatric radiologists in the management of intussusception. Materials and methods. A postal survey was sent to the European members of ESPR. Items surveyed included diagnostic imaging procedures (plain films, US, contrast enema [CE]), contrast medium used (barium, iodine, air, saline solution), and imaging technique used for monitoring during reduction (films, fluoroscopy, US). Multiple answers were possible. Other data, including contraindications, maximum pressure, pressure and irradiation monitoring, presence of a surgeon, sedation, number and duration of attempts, and hospitalisation were also obtained and analysed. Results. There were 204 respondents (60.2 %). Regarding diagnosis, 72.5 % of respondents used plain radiographs, 93 % US, and 34 % CE. Reduction was performed using air (55 %), a barium suspension (32 %), iodinated contrast medium (24 %), or a saline solution (10 %). Reduction was monitored using fluoroscopy alone (46 %), fluoroscopy and radiographs (49.5 %), US alone (9.5 %), or a combination of radiology and US (18 %). Pressure was monitored by 81 % of respondents. Most respondents (82.4 %) used a maximum pressure between 100 and 120 mm Hg. Conclusions. US is widely used for diagnosing intussusception. For treatment, contrast medium and air reduction are used almost equally. A large number of radiologists are now performing intussusception reduction using US monitoring. Received: 27 September 1998 Accepted: 15 January 1999     

Intussusception in infants and children: feasibility of ambulatory management

To evaluate the ambulatory management of ileo-colic intussusception in infants and children, a retrospective study over 3 years of 113 children treated for ileo-colic intussusception in a paediatric emergency department was undertaken with the aim of shortening the length of stay. A total of 113 children aged 10 days to 9 years (median 12 months) were treated for intussusception between January 1993 and December 1996. None had septic shock or peritoneal aeric effusion. Barium enema reduction was attempted in all patients. Successful reduction rate was 81%. Fifty patients (44.2%) were completely ambulatory managed and 42 were hospital-supervised after successful enema reduction. Twenty-one children underwent laparotomy after failure of enema. With the ambulatory device, costs were reduced ($1000/case) compared with conventional in-patient treatment. Conclusion Outpatient treatment of acute ileo-colic intussusception is secure and reduces costs. It depends on the willingness of the medical team but requires simultaneous adaptation of hospital funding to promote this trend. Received: 28 October 1998 / Accepted in revised form: 8 February 1999     

Documentation of spontaneous reduction of childhood intussusception by ultrasound

Spontaneous reduction of a presumed ileo-colonic intussusception was demonstrated by ultrasound examination followed by a barium enema. No premedication or anesthetic had been given to the child. This case illustrates the possible natural history of intussusception rarely confirmed by imaging studies. Intussusception is the most common abdominal emergency of early childhood [1]. Diagnosis and therapy is usually performed with a contrast enema. If unsuccessful, surgical reduction is indicated. We wish to report a case of spontaneous reduction of a presumed ileocolonic intussusception. This was initially diagnosed by ultrasound examination, but had spontaneously reduced by the time a barium enema was performed.     

Solar eclipse sign of intussusception on barium enema

The colographic appearance of intussusception is variously described as a claw sign, pincer defect, shouldering effect, and coiled-spring pattern. This report adds a new radiographic sign to the list. An end-on view of an intussusception on barium enema shows a ring of contrast resembling a solar eclipse. Familiarity with this bizarre appearance is desirable, lest it may be mistaken for spillage of barium due to a colonic perforation. Accepted: 16 February 2001     

Comparison of absorbed radiation doses in barium and air enema reduction of intussusception: A phantom study

Objective. We assessed the relative radiation load in patients undergoing hydrostatic and pneumatic reduction of childhood intussusception.Materials and methods In a phantom study we simulated two situations occurring during reduction of intussusception. The absorbed radiation dose was measured at several positions in the phantom using either barium sulphate (BaSO₄) or air in the simulated reduction, combined with either automatic exposure control (AEC) or constant exposure rate (CER) at fluoroscopy. From these values the mean absorbed dose was calculated for different depth compartments within the phantom.Results. In the barium study the mean absorbed dose averaged over the total irradiated volume was 14–23 % lower when CER was used instead of AEC; in the air study the dose was 35–43 % lower when AEC was used instead of CER. The combination of air and AEC provided the lowest mean absorbed dose in the tissue. The barium enema created a low-radiation zone, which might be utilized for protecting radiation sensitive tissue.Conclusion. The use of BaSO₄ or air in reduction of intussusception requires the proper combination with CER and AEC, respectively, to minimize the radiation load to the patient; the lowest radiation load is obtained by using air and AEC.     

The current radiologic management of intussusception: A survey and review

To determine what practices are being utilized in the management of intussusception, a survey was sent to chairpersons of 64 Pediatric Radiology departments in the United States and Canada. There was a 92% response rate. Barium is used in 97% of departments and is the most commonly used contrast-agent in 64%. Water-soluble contrast is used in 83% of departments and air in 50%. In high-risk patients, water soluble contrast is used in 71% of departments, air in 28% and barium in 24%. Glucagon, pre-exam antibiotics, and pre-exam sedation are not used regularly in a majority of departments. The radiologic management of intussusception is more varied than only a few years ago. Use of water-soluble contrast and air have increased, while barium use is less routine.     

Air enema for intussusception: Is predicting the outcome important?

Air enema is the treatment of choice for childhood intussusceptions. Although peritonitis is the established contraindication, studies have attempted to identify factors that affect the outcome of air enema. In our series we studied the impact of such factors on the clinical scenario to determine if it was important to predict the outcome of air enema. We retrospectively reviewed the records of 179 children who underwent air enema for intussusception at our institution over a 5-year period. Abdominal colic was present in 144 children, vomiting in 139 and rectal bleeding in 108 children. The duration of symptoms was less than 24 h in 131 children. An abdominal mass was present in 121 children, rectal prolapse of intussusception in 14, dehydration in 31 and small bowel obstruction in 27 children. The success rate of air enema was calculated. All clinical features were analyzed for impact on outcome using univariate and multivariate analysis. The extent of this impact on the clinical scenario was examined. Air enema was successful in 157 cases (89%). One child developed a perforation during the procedure (0.6%). The recurrence rate was 8%. Using χ² test, success of air enema was reduced in the presence of rectal bleeding, rectal prolapse of intussusception, dehydration, and small bowel obstruction. This reduction was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Using logistic regression analysis, the success of air enema was significantly reduced (P < 0.05) only in the presence of prolapsing rectal intussusception (57%) and small bowel obstruction (52%). Small bowel obstruction and prolapsing rectal intussusceptions merely reduce the success of air enema and do not increase the complications. Since the success of air enema is very high, it must be attempted in all children with the exception of peritonitis. Predicting the outcome is not crucial because of the high success rate and low complication rate.     

Adding a custom made pressure release valve during air enema for intussusception: A new technique

Background:

Non-surgical reduction remains the first line treatment of choice for intussusception. The major complication of air enema reduction is bowel perforation. The authors developed a custom made pressure release valve to be added to portable insufflation devices, delivering air at pressures accepted as safe for effective reduction of intussusception in children under fluoroscopic guidance. The aim of this study was to develop a custom made pressure release valve that is suitable for the insufflation devices used for air enema reduction of intussusception and to put this valve into regular clinical practice.

Materials and Methods:

An adjustable, custom made pressure release valve was assembled by the authors using readily available components. The valve was coupled to a simple air enema insufflation device. The device was used for the trial of reduction of intussusception in a prospective study that included 132 patients.

Results:

The success rate for air enema reduction with the new device was 88.2%. The mean pressure required to achieve complete reduction was 100 mmHg. The insufflation pressure never exceeded the preset value (120 mmHg). Of the successful cases, 58.3% were reduced from the first attempt while 36.1% required a second insufflation. Only 5.55% required a third insufflation to complete the reduction. In cases with unsuccessful pneumatic reduction attempt (18.1%), surgical treatment was required. Surgery ranged from simple reduction to resection with a primary end to end anastomosis. No complications from air enema were recorded.

Conclusions:

The authors recommend adding pressure release valves to ensure safety by avoiding pressure overshoot during the procedure.Key words: Air enema, intussusception, pneumatic, pressure release, reduction, safety, valve     

Intussusception: influence of age on reducibility

Our experience of hydrostatic reduction of intussusception by barium enema over the last 7 years is reviewed. There were 115 attempted hydrostatic reductions out of a total of 129 patients diagnosed as having intussusception on barium enema or at surgery. Age at presentation varied from one month to nine years, 81% of patients presenting before one year of age. Of 115 attempted reductions, 63 were successful giving an overall success rate of 55%. Looking at the different age groups, it was found that hydrostatic reduction was much less successful in infants aged 3 months and younger; success rate 20% compared to a 60% success rate in the remainder. Conscious of recent reports in the literature of bowel perforation during attempted hydrostatic reduction in young infants, we suggest that there should be a reappraisal of the role of hydrostatic reduction in the three months and younger age group.     

Pneumatic reduction of intussusception using carbon dioxide

Pneumatic reduction using air has recently become popular for the initial non-surgical managment of intussusception. Since carbon dioxide (CO₂) is rapidly absorbed from body surfaces, it should theoretically result in less cramping and distension following reduction. We reviewed our recent experience with the pneumatic reduction of intussusception using CO₂ in 26 children. In 22 of these the intussusception was reduced (85%). There was one perforation with CO₂; the patient did not suffer any postoperative complications. Five additional children who had been treated unsuccessfully with barium had intussusception subsequently reduced with CO₂. Following CO₂ reduction, most children were fed within hours, and there were no instances of significant abdominal distension or cramping. We conclude that pneumatic reduction of intussusception using CO₂ is safe and effective, and has the theoretical advantage of more rapid absorption from the gastrointestinal tract than air.     

Intussusception reduced by barium enema. Outcome and short-term follow-up

A retrospective study was performed of 88 consecutive cases of intussusception that occurred during a 3-year period. Forty-eight patients experienced hydrostatic reduction of intussusception with barium enema and 40 patients required surgical correction of intussusception when barium enema reduction was unsuccessful. Patients with fever or duration of symptoms greater than 24 hours, or ileo-ileocolic type of intussusception had a significantly greater rate of unsuccessful hydrostatic reduction (p less than 0.001). Of 48 cases of intussusception hydrostatically reduced by barium enema, 47 patients received repeat physical examination after reduction, 45 having normal findings. Oral feeding was tolerated in these 47 patients within 12 hours after reduction. All 41 hospitalized patients were discharged within 24 hours of reduction without developing complication; of seven non-hospitalized patients, six reported no complications during the initial 24 hour post-reduction period. The single complication that occurred was recurrence of intussusception (ileo-ileocolic type) in a patient 6 hours after initial reduction; this was the only case in which neither post-reduction physical examination nor trial of feeding had been performed. Children with intussusception hydrostatically reduced by barium enema are at low risk for complication during the subsequent 24 hour post-reduction period. When the pre-reduction course has been relatively uncomplicated, the post-reduction physical examination does not reveal abnormalities, and the patient is able to tolerate oral feeding, close outpatient monitoring appears to be safe.     

Intussusception: effectiveness of gas enema

In tertiary paediatric centres, gas enema reduction of intussusception appears to be more effective and perhaps safer than barium enema reduction. Despite the higher success rate of reduction when gas is used, there remain some patients in whom the technique fails but who at operation have an intussusception that theoretically should have been reducible with the gas enema: easy to reduce manually, no necrosis of the bowel, and no pathological lesion at the leadpoint. After a gas enema failed, manual reduction of an intussusception was achieved in 41 of 49 patients and was difficult in less than one-half. It is suggested that a significant proportion might have been reducible had the technique of gas reduction been modified, either by repeating the enema some hours after the first attempt or by using higher insufflation pressures. In practice, clinical features were not useful in predicting in which patients gas enema would be unsuccessful or whether operative reduction would be successful without resection.     

Radiographic reduction of intussusception in patients with cystic fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder affecting approximately one in 2,500 births in the United States. Nearly 1% of patients with CF will develop intussusception, which is commonly ileocecal and felt to be secondary to inspissated feces. These patients generally present before the age of ten. Once the diagnosis of intussusception is confirmed on ultrasound or CT, surgery has been the mainstay of treatment in this patient group. We propose the use of air and contrast enemas as effective and beneficial non-operative approach in these patients. Clinical and imaging findings in four children with known CF who presented with intestinal intussusception, average age 13.25 +/- 5.3 years (range 8-18 years) were reviewed. Patients were diagnosed using ultrasound (n = 3) or abdominal CT (n = 1). All patients suffered from an ileocolic intussusception. Air and Gastrografin(R) enemas were used in an attempt to reduce the intussusception. There were six separate successful intussusception reductions in four patients. Three patients required multiple attempts (2.3 +/- 0.6). Air enemas were used initially in all cases. Gastrografin(R) was used successfully following the failure of air enema in one patient. One patient suffered three separate intussusceptions over a period of 18 months, which were all successfully reduced using air. There were no complications and the patients tolerated the procedure well. Intussusception is an uncommon but serious complication in children with CF. While surgical reduction has been the mainstay of treatment for these patients, we demonstrated that reduction of an intussusception using air or contrast can be accomplished safely, without anesthesia, and should be the initial treatment option.