CONTEMPORARY VIEWS ON THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF INTUSSUSCEPTION IN CHILDREN
Abstract
Objective: To optimize the diagnosis and treatment of intestinal intussusception (II) in children. Methods: The study analyzed the medical records of 132 patients aged 2 months to 10 years with II. Patients were divided into two groups. The Control Group (CG) consisted of 59 children (44.7%) treated between 2000 and 2014. For symptoms lasting up to 12 hours, a conservative reduction method – pneumoirrigoscopy (PIS) – was used in this group. The Main Group (MG) included 73 patients (55.3%) treated from 2014 to 2023. In this group, a new method for diagnosing and treating II was implemented: ultrasound-guided hydroechocolonography (HEC). Results: Analysis showed that the rate of successful conservative reduction was higher in the MG (53.4%; 39 of 73 patients) than in the CG (39.0%; 23 of 59 children). MG patients with successful HEC were discharged within 2-3 days, and recurrences were monitored by ultrasound. In contrast, CG patients were discharged on days 4-5, and recurrences were monitored with X-ray contrast studies, which led to additional radiation exposure. Conclusion: HEC demonstrated high efficacy, allowing for conservative treatment of II in most cases without the need for surgery. Furthermore, the technique showed positive results even in patients admitted more than 24 hours after symptom onset, confirming its clinical significance and appropriateness. Keywords: Intestinal intussusception, children, radiography, ultrasound, hydroechocolonography, pneumoirrigoscopy, conservative treatment.