Imaging Intussusception in Children’s Hospitals in the United States: Trends, Outcomes, and Costs

Colocolic intussusception as a rare cause of intestinal obstruction in a preschool child: A case report

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE

Colocolic intussusception occur in less than 5 % of all cases of intussusception. Median age at presentation is 4.4 years. Usually presents with features of intestinal obstruction. Common causes include pathological lead points like juvenile polyps, Meckel's diverticulum and lymphoma. However, rarely occurs without an organic cause as presented in the index case.

CASE PRESENTATION

We present a case of colocolic intussusception in a 5-year-old boy with clinical evidence of blood-stained mucoid stools, abdominal distention and post prandial vomiting. CT-scan confirmed the clinical diagnosis. Surgical exploration revealed left-sided colocolic intussusception without a pathological lead point.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

Most cases of colonic intussusception have a pathological lead point. Clinical features are unspecific but mostly present with intestinal obstruction, hence, a CT-scan aids in establishing the diagnosis.

CONCLUSION

Colocolic intussusception is a rare subtype of intussusception in the paediatric age group especially in the absence of a pathological lead point. This case report presents a rare case of colocolic intussusception without pathological lead point, highlighting the importance of advanced imaging modalities like CT-scan in establishing the diagnosis and guiding management.

Impact of a 6-12-h delay between ileocolic intussusception diagnostic US and fluoroscopic reduction on patients' outcomes

BACKGROUND

Image-guided reduction of intussusception is considered a radiologic urgency requiring 24-h radiologist and technologist availability.

OBJECTIVE

To assess whether a delay of 6-12 h between US diagnosis and fluoroscopic reduction of ileocolic intussusception affects the success frequency of fluoroscopic reduction.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Retrospective review of 0-5-year-olds undergoing fluoroscopic reduction for ileocolic intussusception from 2013 to 2023. Exclusions were small bowel intussusception, self-reduced intussusception, first fluoroscopic reduction attempt>12 h after US, prior bowel surgery, inpatient status, and patient transferred for recurrent intussusception. Data collected included demographics, symptoms, air/contrast enema selection, radiation dose, reduction failure, 48-h recurrence, surgery, length of stay, and complications. Comparisons between<6-h and 6-12-h delays after ultrasound diagnosis were made using chi-square, Fisher's exact test, and Mann-Whitney U tests (P< 0.05 considered significant).

RESULTS

Of 438 included patients, 387 (88.4%) were reduced in <6 h (median age 1.4 years) and 51 (11.7%) were reduced between 6 and 12 h (median age 2.05 years), with median reduction times of 1:42 and 7:07 h, respectively. There were no significant differences between the groups for reduction success (<6 h 87.3% vs. 6-12 h 94.1%; P-value = 0.16), need for surgery (<6 h 11.1% vs. 6-12 h 3.9%; P-value=0.112), recurrence of intussusception within 48 h after reduction (<6 h 9.3% vs. 6-12 h 15.7%; P-value=0.154), or length of hospitalization (<6 h 21:07 h vs. 6-12 h 20:03 h; P-value=0.662).

CONCLUSION

A delay of 6-12 h between diagnosis and fluoroscopic reduction of ileocolic intussusception is not associated with reduced fluoroscopic reduction success, need for surgical intervention after attempted reduction, recurrence of intussusception following successful reduction, or hospitalization duration after reduction.

Comparison of Clinical Features of Intussusception in Terms of Age and Duration of Symptoms

OBJECTIVES

Intussusception is one of the most common surgical emergencies in children. We aimed to analyze the current clinical characteristics of intussusception.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 209 children diagnosed with intussusception, who were admitted to our hospital between January 2009 and August 2022. We grouped the patients according to symptom duration (before and after 12 hours and before and after 24 hours) and age (younger and older than 1 year, and younger and older than 2 years).

RESULTS

The median age at admission was 31 months (2-204 months). The median symptom duration was 12 hours (1-420 hours). Most patients (91.4%) were admitted due to abdominal pain, irritability, and/or vomiting. The most common symptoms were vomiting (70.8%) and abdominal pain (60.6%). The classical triad of symptoms was seen in 9 cases (4.3%). In patients aged younger than 1 year, bloody stool, abnormal abdominal radiography findings, and a longer intussusceptum segment were more frequent. In patients aged younger than 2 years, abdominal pain, fever, and defense on physical examination were less frequent, and irritability, bloody stool, and recurrence were more frequent. Patients aged younger than 2 years had a longer intussusceptum segment and less lymphadenopathy based on ultrasonography (USG). The patients admitted more than 12 hours after symptom onset had more diarrhea, fever, abnormal x-ray, peritoneal fluid on USG, and recurrences, and less vomiting. After the symptoms had lasted for 24 hours, fever, mass palpation, and abnormal abdominal radiography findings were more frequent.

CONCLUSIONS

We recommend performing abdominal USG, especially in young children admitted to the emergency department with complaints of abdominal pain and/or vomiting, to rule out intussusception. In countries that have reported a high mortality rate from intussusception, we advise precautions such as increasing the availability of USG in emergency departments and educating the population to seek early medical assistance.

Risk Factors of Nonsurgical Management Failure in Pediatric Intussusception Patients With Delayed Presentation

OBJECTIVES

The present study aimed to investigate the time-related predicting factors of the ultrasound-guided hydrostatic reduction (USGHR) failure in pediatric patients with ileocolic intussusception and delayed presentation.

METHODS

The present retrospective study included pediatric patients diagnosed with ileocolic intussusception who presented to our hospital with the related symptoms started 48 hours ago or greater duration during 2018-2020. The patients with spontaneous reduction were excluded from the study. Afterward, the participants with failed and successful USGHR were compared in terms of age, sex, symptom duration, and ultrasound findings using the χ 2 and logistic regression tests.

RESULTS

A total of 103 children were included in the present study. The mean symptom duration was 4.13 ± 2.39 days, with a range of 2-14 days. Moreover, 47.6% of the patients had a successful reduction. In addition, there was a significant relationship between failed USGHR and the factors of symptom duration, free peritoneal fluid, entrapped fluid between intussuscepted loops, the size of the invaginated segment, and malperfusion of the intussuscepted bowel loops detected using the Doppler ultrasound ( P < 0.05). However, there was no significant relationship between failed USGHR and the factors of the primary location of intussusception and the presence of intussuscepted lymph nodes ( P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of entrapped fluid between the intussuscepted loops, free peritoneal fluid, and the length of the intussuscepted segments were all associated with USGHR failure in our study. Therefore, determining these predictors may help anticipate failure of reduction.

How Does the COVID-19 Pandemic Affect Pediatric Patients with Intussusception Treated by Ultrasound-Guided Hydrostatic Enema Reduction?

Background: The pandemic of COVID-19 has significantly influenced the epidemiology of intussusception. Nevertheless, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the operation of ultrasound-guided hydrostatic enema reduction (USGHER) for intussusception have been largely unknown. Methods: The data of pediatric patients with intussusception who were treated by USGHER from January to March of 2019 (Control Group), 2020 (Study Group 1), and 2021 (Study Group 2) in a large Chinese medical institution were retrospectively collected and analyzed. Results: We enrolled 246 patients, including 90 cases in Control Group, 70 in Study Group 1, and 86 in Study Group 2 (p = 0.042). The time from the onset of symptoms to the hospital visit and the time from the hospital visit to performing the ultrasound in Study Group 1 was significantly longer than that in Control Group and Study Group 2 (p = 0.036, p = 0.031, respectively). The number of patients with bloody stool and the longest invaginated length of intussusception in Study Group 1 increased significantly compared with patients in the other two groups (p = 0.007, p = 0.042, respectively). Comparisons of neither the pressure of enema nor the time of duration when performing USGHER present statistical significance among the three groups (p = 0.091, p = 0.085, respectively). For all enrolled pediatric patients, there was no perforation case involved, and recurrence of intussusception occurred in few cases. Conclusions: Besides the negative impacts on the incidence of intussusception, the COVID-19 pandemic might have led to the diagnostic delay of intussusception and the deterioration of patients’ clinical manifestations, but it did not significantly affect the operation of USGHER and patients’ clinical outcome.

Colocolic Intussusception in Children: A Case Series and Review of the Literature

Background

Colocolic intussusception is a rare subtype of intussusception mostly caused by juvenile polyps. The treatment of colocolic intussusception caused by other pathologic lead points in children remains poorly understood.

Method

A systematic literature review was performed between January 2000 and June 2021 to characterize the comprehensive treatment of colocolic intussusception in children. This report also included patients admitted to our center between January 2010 and June 2021 who were not previously reported in the literature.

Results

We identified 27 patients in 20 studies in addition to 17 patients from our center for a total of 44 patients (median age, 4.4 years; 52.3% male). The lead point was identified in 40 patients (40/44, 90.9%). The most common lead point was juvenile polyps (19/44, 43.2%). A therapeutic enema was performed in 15 patients with colocolic intussusception caused by juvenile polyps and was successful in 9 patients (9/15, 60.0%). Colonoscopic polypectomy was subsequently performed in 8 patients and was successful in 7 patients (7/8, 87.5%). The other patient had undergone laparoscopic exploration, and no abnormality was found. Subsequently, the patient underwent open surgery. The patients with colocolic intussusception caused by other pathologic lead points almost underwent surgical treatment (15/21, 71.4%), including 13 open surgeries and 2 laparoscopic surgeries.

Conclusion

A therapeutic enema followed by colonoscopic polypectomy is feasible to treat colocolic intussusception caused by juvenile polyps unless the patient has bowel perforation; however, surgery is sometimes needed. For patients with colocolic intussusception caused by other pathologic lead points, open surgery remains the primary treatment.

Significance of Follow-Up Ultrasonography 24 Hours Post-Reduction in Detecting Intussusception Recurrence

PURPOSE

The objective of this study was to identify the significance of 24-hour post-reduction ultrasonography (US) in pediatric patients with intussusception.

METHODS

A total of 229 patients with intussusception who were treated with saline reduction at Severance Children's Hospital between January 2014 and September 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. The 229 patients with successful saline reduction were divided into two groups: a recurrence at 24 hours group (R, n=41) and a non-recurrence group (NR, n=188). The full patient sample was divided into two groups: follow-up US (FU) or no follow-up US (NFU); the recurrence group was divided into follow-up (R-FU) and non-follow-up (R-NFU) subgroups, and stratified analyses were performed.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in age, sex, laboratory findings, symptoms, and sonographic findings between the NR and R groups. In the R group, 24 patients underwent follow-up US, and 17 patients did not. Specific sonographic findings were statistically significant in the R-FU group compared to the R-NFU group (p=0.002). The R-FU group had fewer admissions (p=0.012) and longer mean hospitalization times (p<0.001) than the R-NFU group. The NFU group had a 12.2% recurrence rate, while the R-FU group recurrence rate was 25.8% (p=0.0099), suggesting that the omission of some recurrent events and follow-up US was a significant variable in the recurrence of intussusception. The median time to recurrence was 21 hours which supports the 24-hour follow-up protocol.

CONCLUSION

Twenty-four-hour follow-up US was shown to be valuable for detecting early recurrence of intussusception.

Trends in Use of Advanced Imaging in Pediatric Emergency Departments, 2009-2018

Importance

There is increased awareness of radiation risks from computed tomography (CT) in pediatric patients. In emergency departments (EDs), evidence-based guidelines, improvements in imaging technology, and availability of nonradiating modalities have potentially reduced CT use.

Objective

To evaluate changes over time and hospital variation in advanced imaging use.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cross-sectional study assessed 26 082 062 ED visits by children younger than 18 years from the Pediatric Health Information System administrative database from January 1, 2009, through December 31, 2018.

Exposures

Imaging.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome was the change in CT, ultrasonography, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) rates from January 1, 2009, to December 31, 2018. Imaging for specific diagnoses was examined using all patient-refined diagnosis related groups. Secondary outcomes were hospital admission and 3-day ED revisit rates and ED length of stay.

Results

There were a total of 26 082 062 visits by 9 868 406 children (mean [SD] age, 5.59 [5.15] years; 13 842 567 [53.1%] male; 9 273 181 [35.6%] non-Hispanic white) to 32 US pediatric EDs during the 10-year study period, with 1 or more advanced imaging studies used in 1 919 283 encounters (7.4%). The proportion of ED encounters with any advanced imaging increased from 6.4% (95% CI, 6.2%-6.2%) in 2009 to 8.7% (95% CI, 8.7%-8.8%) in 2018. The proportion of ED encounters with CT decreased from 3.9% (95% CI, 3.9%-3.9%) to 2.9% (95% CI, 2.9%-3.0%) (P < .001 for trend), with ultrasonography increased from 2.5% (95% CI, 2.5%-2.6%) to 5.8% (95% CI, 5.8%-5.9%) (P < .001 for trend), and with MRI increased from 0.3% (95% CI, 0.3%-0.4%) to 0.6% (95% CI, 0.6%-0.6%) (P < .001 for trend). The largest decreases in CT rates were for concussion (-23.0%), appendectomy (-14.9%), ventricular shunt procedures (-13.3%), and headaches (-12.4%). Factors associated with increased use of nonradiating imaging modalities included ultrasonography for abdominal pain (20.3%) and appendectomy (42.5%) and MRI for ventricular shunt procedures (17.9%) (P < .001 for trend). Across the study period, EDs varied widely in the use of ultrasonography for appendectomy (median, 57.5%; interquartile range [IQR], 40.4%-69.8%) and MRI (median, 15.8%; IQR, 8.3%-35.1%) and CT (median, 69.5%; IQR, 54.5%-76.4%) for ventricular shunt procedures. Overall, ED length of stay did not change, and hospitalization and 3-day ED revisit rates decreased during the study period.

Conclusions and Relevance

This study found that use of advanced imaging increased from 2009 to 2018. Although CT use decreased, this decrease was accompanied by a greater increase in the use of ultrasonography and MRI. There appears to be substantial variation in practice and a need to standardize imaging practices.

Inpatient Observation After Transition From Intravenous to Oral Antibiotics

OBJECTIVES

Children hospitalized with infections are commonly transitioned from intravenous (IV) to enteral (per os [PO]) antibiotics before discharge, after which they may be observed in the hospital to ensure tolerance of PO therapy and continued clinical improvement. We sought to describe the frequency and predictors of in-hospital observation after transition from IV to PO antibiotics in children admitted for skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs).

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of children with SSTIs discharged between January 1, 2016, and June 30, 2018, using the Pediatric Health Information System database. Children were classified as observed if hospitalized ≥1 day after transitioning from IV to PO antibiotics. We calculated the proportion of observed patients and used logistic regression with random intercepts to identify predictors of in-hospital observation.

RESULTS

Overall, 15% (558 of 3704) of hospitalizations for SSTIs included observation for ≥1 hospital day after the transition from IV to PO antibiotics. The proportion of children observed differed significantly between hospitals (range of 4%-27%; P < .001). Observation after transition to PO antibiotics was less common in older children (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.69; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.52-0.90; P = .045). Children initially prescribed vancomycin (aOR = 1.36; 95% CI 1.03-1.79; P = .032) or with infections located on the neck (aOR = 1.72; 95% CI 1.32-2.24; P < .001) were more likely to be observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Children hospitalized for SSTIs are frequently observed after transitioning from IV to PO antibiotics, and there is substantial variability in the observation rate between hospitals. Specific factors predict in-hospital observation and should be investigated as part of future studies aimed at improving the care of children hospitalized with SSTIs.

Incidence of recurrent intussusception in young children: A nationwide readmissions analysis

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Recurrent intussusception following successful nonoperative reduction has previously been reported with a frequency of 8%-12% based on data from individual institutions. Meanwhile, the timing of discharge after successful reduction continues to be debated. Here, we evaluate readmissions for recurrent intussusception in young children using a large-scale national database.

METHODS

The National Readmissions Database (2010-2014) was queried to identify young children (age < 5 years) diagnosed with intussusception. We compared procedures performed during the index admission and frequency of readmissions for recurrent intussusception. Results were weighted for national estimates.

RESULTS

We identified 8289 children diagnosed with intussusception during an index admission. These patients received definitive treatment with nonoperative reduction alone (43%), surgical reduction (42%), or bowel resection (15%). Readmission for recurrent intussusception was required for 3.7% of patients managed with nonoperative reduction alone, 2.3% of patients that underwent surgical reduction, and 0% of those that underwent bowel resection. Median time to readmission was 4 days after nonoperative reduction, and only 1.5% of these patients experienced recurrence within 48 h of discharge.

CONCLUSIONS

Recurrent intussusception may be substantially less common than previously reported. Our findings support the practice of discharge shortly after successful nonoperative reduction.

TYPE OF STUDY

Retrospective, prognosis study.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III.