Ultrasound-guided reduction of ileocolic intussusception in children

Objective - To determine the success rate of the newly introduced method of ultrasound guided hydrostatic reduction in detected ileocolic intussusception by retrospective analysis. Materials and methods - Analysis was performed on all diagnosed ileocolic intussusceptions during the period of December 2013 to November 2015 at the Department for pediatric Radiology of the Children's Hospital Zagreb. In this period of time 34 patients were diagnosed with ileocolic intussusception. Ultrasound guided hydrostatic reduction was performed in 31 patients. We performed ultrasound guided hydrostatic reposition using saline solution warmed at body temperature. Saline was applied per rectum. When the intussusceptum crossed the ileocecal valve, the reposition was considered successful. Results - Out of 34 patients, three patients were treated with an urgent surgical procedure, while ultrasound guided hydrostatic reduction was performed in 31 patients. The non-surgical procedures were successful in all cases and complete reductions of intussusception were achieved in all 31 patients. In three patients, reinvagination occurred within the first 48 hours. Conclusion - Ultrasound guided hydrostatic reduction of ileocolic intussusceptions in children is a very simple and effective technique. The success rate was 91.2% (31/34). The recurrence rate was 8.8%.