Which statement best describes intussusception in children?

Which statement best describes intussusception in children?

• A. It commonly presents with a fever of 39 C
• B. It is the most common cause of SBO in adults
• C. It commonly occurs at the ileocecal junction and may present with intermittent abdominal pain and red currant jelly stools
• D. It is best diagnosed with plain X-ray only

Answer: (C)

Intussusception is when a segment of bowel telescopes into the adjacent distal segment, most commonly at the ileocecal junction in young children. This setup causes intermittent, crampy abdominal pain as the intestine tries to move and then briefly rests, and as blood flow becomes compromised, mucus and blood can mix in the stool, producing the red currant jelly appearance. A palpable sausage-shaped mass may sometimes be felt in the abdomen. This combination—telescoping at the ileocecal area with intermittent pain and red currant jelly stools—best captures how intussusception typically presents in children. Fever of 39 C isn’t a defining feature of this condition on its own, and a high fever would more strongly suggest infection or another process. In adults, intussusception is not the most common cause of small-bowel obstruction; adhesions and other problems are far more typical. Lastly, plain X-ray is not the best diagnostic test in this context. Ultrasound is the imaging modality of choice in children, revealing the characteristic target or donut sign, and a contrast enema can both diagnose and sometimes reduce the intussusception.

Intussusception is when a segment of bowel telescopes into the adjacent distal segment, most commonly at the ileocecal junction in young children. This setup causes intermittent, crampy abdominal pain as the intestine tries to move and then briefly rests, and as blood flow becomes compromised, mucus and blood can mix in the stool, producing the red currant jelly appearance. A palpable sausage-shaped mass may sometimes be felt in the abdomen. This combination—telescoping at the ileocecal area with intermittent pain and red currant jelly stools—best captures how intussusception typically presents in children.

Fever of 39 C isn’t a defining feature of this condition on its own, and a high fever would more strongly suggest infection or another process. In adults, intussusception is not the most common cause of small-bowel obstruction; adhesions and other problems are far more typical. Lastly, plain X-ray is not the best diagnostic test in this context. Ultrasound is the imaging modality of choice in children, revealing the characteristic target or donut sign, and a contrast enema can both diagnose and sometimes reduce the intussusception.