Title

Adult intestinal intussusception: CT appearances and identification of a causative lead point

UMMS Affiliation

Department of Radiology

Publication Date

2006-05-17

Document Type

Article

Subjects

Adult; Diagnosis, Differential; Diagnostic Errors; Humans; Image Enhancement; Intestines; Intussusception; Radiographic Image Enhancement; Severity of Illness Index

Disciplines

Life Sciences | Medicine and Health Sciences

Abstract

The widespread application of computed tomography (CT) in different clinical situations has increased the detection of intussusception, particularly non-lead point intussusception, which tends to be transient. Consequently, determining the clinical significance of intussusception seen at CT poses a diagnostic challenge. Patients with intussusception may or may not be symptomatic, and symptoms can be acute, intermittent, or chronic, making clinical diagnosis difficult. In most cases, radiologists can readily make the correct diagnosis of intestinal intussusception by noting the typical bowel-within-bowel appearance at abdominal CT. However, the CT findings that help differentiate between lead point and non-lead point intussusception have not been well studied. Nevertheless, although there is considerable overlap of CT findings, when a lead mass is seen at CT as a separate and distinct entity vis-a-vis edematous bowel, it can be considered a reliable indicator of a lead point intussusception. Differentiating between lead point and non-lead point intussusception is important in determining the appropriate treatment and has the potential to reduce the prevalence of unnecessary surgery.

DOI of Published Version

10.1148/rg.263055100

Source

Radiographics. 2006 May-Jun;26(3):733-44. Link to article on publisher's site

Journal/Book/Conference Title

Radiographics : a review publication of the Radiological Society of North America, Inc

Related Resources

Link to Article in PubMed

PubMed ID

16702451

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