ABSTRACT
Intussusception is one of the most frequent causes of bowel obstruction in infants and toddlers. Primary intussusception is the most common type of intussusception, commonly occurring soon after an upper respiratory tract infection or episode of gastroenteritis when the lead point is thought to be hypertrophied Peyer's patches in the ileal wall. Various systemic diseases, such as Henoch–Schonlein's purpura and cystic fibrosis, can be complicated by intussusception. These intussusceptions are usually antegrade in the jejunum either along or at the end of the tube, but can also be retrograde when the gastrostomy tube migrates by gastric peristalsis through the pylorus and into the duodenum or jejunum. They usually cause a high small-bowel obstruction with bilious vomiting but without cramps or pain. The most common site for intussusception is ileocolic, with the ileum invaginating into the caecum or right ascending colon. The diagnosis of intussusception can be suspected on plain abdominal radiographs.
