Ultrasonographic and clinical predictors of intussusception.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to determine the positive and negative clinical predictors of intussusception and the correlation of ultrasonography and air enema in establishing this diagnosis.


METHODS
This was a prospective descriptive cohort study.


METHODS
This study was performed in a tertiary care pediatric emergency department.


METHODS
Eighty-eight of 245 candidates were assessed for clinical predictors of intussusception. All 245 cases were examined for correlation between ultrasonography and air enema.


METHODS
A questionnaire, ultrasonography, and air enema were used.


RESULTS
Thirty-five of the 88 patients assessed for clinical predictors were positive for intussusception. Significant positive predictors were right upper quadrant abdominal mass (positive predictive value [PPV] 94%), gross blood in stool (PPV 80%), blood on rectal examination (PPV 78%), the triad of intermittent abdominal pain, vomiting, and right upper quadrant abdominal mass (PPV 93%, p = 0.0001), and the triad with occult or gross blood per rectum (PPV 100%, p = not significant). Significant negative predictors were a combination of > or = 3 of 10 clinically significant negative features (negative predictive value 77%, p = 0.035). Of the total 245 cases, intussusception (as confirmed by doughnut, target, or pseudokidney sign) was ruled out by ultrasonography in 97.4%. Alternate ultrasound findings comprised 27% of negative cases.


CONCLUSIONS
Excellent positive predictors of intussusception were identified prospectively. Although no reliable negative predictors were found, patients at low risk may be screened by ultrasonography.
Harrington
L
L
Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Connolly
B
B
Hu
X
X
Wesson
D E
DE
Babyn
P
P
Schuh
S
S
D000388:Air; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D004733:Enema / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007443:Intussusception / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014463:Ultrasonography