Evolving Concepts in Ultrasonography of Pediatric Intussusceptions: Unequivocal Differentiation of Ileocolic,Obstructive and Transient Small-Bowel Intussusceptions

The main aim of the study was to elaborate on the various ultrasonographic parameters that can be used for definite differentiation of ileocolic, obstructive small-bowel and transient small-bowel intussusceptions (SBI). In this study, 90 children (63 boys and 27 girls) with suspected intussusception were evaluated. Of these, 54 cases were diagnosed as obstructive intussusceptions (33 ileocolic and 21 ileoileal), 15 cases were classified as transient SBIs and 21 cases were negative for intussusception. The mean fat core diameter was 1.45 ± 0.32 cm for ileocolic versus 0.37 ± 0.06 cm for obstructive SBI versus 0.29 ± 0.08 cm for transient SBI (p < 0.001). The mean lesion diameter was 3.23 ± 0.08 cm for ileocolic intussusceptions and 2.12 ± 0.038 cm for SBI (p < 0.001), and the ratio of inner fat core to outer wall thickness was greater than 1 for ileocolic intussusceptions and less than 1 for SBI. A statistically significant difference was found between segmental invagination of transient versus obstructive SBIs with mean values of 1.93 ± 0.39 cm and 3.17 ± 0.25 cm, respectively, and an “optimal” threshold at 2.5 cm.