The diagnostically difficult intussusception: its characteristics and consequences

In the absence of classical symptomatology, the diagnosis of intussusception may be difficult to make. A retrospective review of 630 episodes of intussusception admitted to the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, over a 15-year period revealed difficulties in diagnosis in 318 cases. The adverse effect of an incorrect initial diagnosis on duration of symptoms at the commencement of treatment, need for surgery, resection rate, complications, and hospital stay is examined. Problems in the assessment of children with intussuception are identified and discussed in the hope that an increased awareness of the diagnostic difficulties and potential pitfalls will reduce the morbidity of this common paediatric condition.Offprint requests to: S. W. Beasley