56 Intussusception
Fig. 56.1A This figure demonstrates a very subtle soft tissue mass protruding into the bowel lumen – this abnormality is projected over the left side of the pelvis. This proved to be an intussusception.
Background
This condition is caused by telescoping of one section of bowel (the intussusceptum) into an adjacent section (the intussuscipiens). This commonly occurs in the terminal ileum. There can be a pathological lead point (commoner in adults) or it can occur spontaneously (commoner in children, 90% of cases).
The condition usually occurs in infants aged 3–12 months although it can occur later than this and is commoner in boys.
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