A Simple and Safe Technique for Pneumatic Reduction of Intussusception

Practical Imaging Strategies for Intussusception in Children

OBJECTIVE. Intussusception is the most common cause of intestinal obstruction in young children. Radiology has a key role in its diagnosis and treatment. This systematic review summarizes the currently available evidence for best practices in radiologic management of pediatric intussusception. CONCLUSION. High diagnostic accuracy and lack of ionizing radiation make ultrasound (US) the preferred imaging modality for diagnosing intussusception. For intussusception reduction, fluoroscopy-guided pneumatic enema and US-guided hydrostatic enema are equally dependable and safe techniques. The areas that warrant further research in this field include the efficacy and safety of the US-guided pneumatic enema, potential benefits of sedation and general anesthesia for the reduction procedure, and the optimal management of intussusceptions potentially involving pathologic lead points.

Selection of Pneumatic Reduction in Invagination Treatment and the Factors Affecting the Success of This Method

Objective

To retrospectively evaluate the success rates of fluoroscopy-guided pneumatic reduction in children with intussusception and to determine the risk factors and patient characteristics affecting the success of this method.

Materials and methods

Retrospective evaluation was made of a total of 183 children diagnosed with ultrasonography (USG) and treated in the pediatric surgery clinic between August 2010 and December 2017. Data related to gender, age (month), date of presentation, invaginated segment localizations and treatment modalities were retrieved from the patient files.

In children who underwent pneumatic reduction, surgical success was determined as the visualization of air flow through the small intestine on fluoroscopy and patients who received reduction were followed up in our clinic. No progress of the air given or failure to see the air flow to the small intestine despite some progression of the air was evaluated as failure and surgical procedure was started in 39 patients. All patients were followed up at the hospital for at least 24 to 48 hours after the procedures.

Patients with perforation, peritonitis, vital instability, or general condition disorder during presentation at our clinic (n = 29) were directly admitted for surgery.

Results

The study included a total of 183 children, comprising 116 (63.4%) males and 67 (36.6%) females with a mean age of 61.3 ± 34.3 months. While mesenteric lymphadenitis (n = 7) was determined as the most common lesion in cases where a pathologic lead point was detected (7.6%), Meckel’s diverticulum was observed in four patients, polyps in two patients, and an involvement associated with Henoch Schönlein Vasculitis in one patient. Pneumatic reduction procedure was applied in 154 (84.1%) patients and successful results were obtained in 115 (74.7%) patients, while surgical intervention was required in 39 (25.3%) patients.

While frequency of admission to direct surgery following the failure of pneumatic reduction in children under the age of two years was determined to be higher than the frequency of healing, the successful pneumatic reduction and admission to direct surgery rates in children between the ages of 0-4 years was found to be significantly higher than those in other age groups (p < 0.001). The pneumatic reduction success rate was determined to decrease significantly in children aged ≥6 years (p < 0.001). The mean hospitalization duration of the patients who underwent surgery after pneumatic reduction (five days) was determined to be significantly longer compared to that of the patients who underwent direct surgery and for whom a successful pneumatic reduction was ensured (p = 0.001 and p = 0.008, respectively).

Conclusion

Fluoroscopy-guided pneumatic reduction has a high success rate and is still one of the first option methods in the treatment of idiopathic intussusception. The application of the method under operating room conditions is more appropriate for patient safety. It is considered that the non-operative reduction success may increase with the detailed evaluation of intussusception cases determined to have pathologic lead points in children aged <2 years and >6 years.

Intussusception Rate Among Under-Five-Children Before Introduction of Rotavirus Vaccine in North India

BACKGROUND

Baseline data on intussusception are needed to compare the intussusception rates following introduction of rotavirus vaccine.

METHODS

A hospital-based bidirectional surveillance (retrospective from 2009 to 2012; and prospective from 2013 to 2015) was set up in a tertiary care hospital in Chandigarh, India, to enrol children <5 years of age admitted with intussusception as per Brighton's classification, to estimate the hospital admission rate. Incidence of intussusception among infants and children <5 years of age was also estimated.

RESULTS

A total of 277 intussusception cases (96 retrospective; 181 prospective) were reported. Majority of cases were males (69.7%) and infants (72%). Median age at diagnosis was 10 months (interquartile range 6-12 months). Nearly 62% cases were treated surgically and 33% radiologically. Incidence was estimated to be 20/100 000 infants, and 5/100 000 children <5 years of age per year, in Chandigarh.

CONCLUSION

Intussusception surveillance system provided background hospital admission and incidence rate before rotavirus vaccine introduction in North India.

UK intussusception audit: a national survey of practice and audit of reduction rates

AIM

To define current UK reduction practice and the reductions rates achieved.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Electronic surveys were sent to radiologists at 26 UK centres. This assessed methods of reduction, equipment, personnel, and protocol usage. Standardized audit proforma were also sent to evaluate all reductions performed in 2011.

RESULTS

Twenty-two of 26 centres (85%) replied. All used air enema under fluoroscopic guidance. Equipment was not standardized but could be broadly categorized into hand-pumped air-supply systems (seven centres) and pressurized air systems (15 centres). Seventeen centres followed a protocol based on British Society of Paediatric Radiologists (BSPR) guidelines. In 21 of the 22 centres a consultant paediatric radiologist led reductions and only 12 centres reported a surgeon being present. Three hundred and ten cases were reported across 22 centres. Cases per centre ranged from 0-31 (median 14). Reduction rates varied from 38-90% (median 71%). The overall perforation rate was 2.5%. Caseload did not significantly correlate with reduction rate, and there was no significant difference between the two types of equipment used. Median reduction rates were 15% higher in centres with a surgeon present at reduction (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Intussusception care in the UK lacks standardization of equipment and personnel involved. National reduction rates are lower than in current international literature. Improved standardization may lead to an improvement in reduction rates and a surgeon should always be present at reduction.

Air enema reduction of intussusception: a registrar-led, protocol-driven service is safe and effective

PURPOSE

In the UK, air enema reduction of intussusception is predominantly performed by consultant radiologists. At our institution, it is usually performed by a team involving radiology and surgical registrars. The purpose of this study was to assess who performs air enemas in the UK and the efficacy and safety of our registrar-led service.

METHODS

A telephone survey of paediatric surgical centres in the UK was performed asking who performs air enema in these institutions. Following this, a retrospective review of all air enemas at our institution between January 2005 and 2011 was performed. Cases were identified from radiology databases and reviewed for grade of radiologist, perforation and outcome.

RESULTS

At all 25 centres, consultant radiologists performed air enemas. At our institution 145 enemas were performed in 6 years. 141 were analysed (54 girls, 87 boys). Median age was 9 months (range 3-107 months). 82 % were performed by the registrar-only team. Over 6 years the registrar-led reduction rate was 77.5 % and in the last 3 years 84 %. The perforation rate was 0.9 %.

CONCLUSION

A paediatric surgical registrar-led service for air enema reduction can be safe and effective ensuring a team approach is adopted, equipment is efficient and a strict protocol is applied.