NONFLUOROSCOPIC REDUCTION OF INTUSSUSCEPTION BY AIR ENEMA

Intussusception is a common pediatric condition in China. Hydrostatic reduction with barium sulfate or pneumatic reduction using air and flu oroscopy has become the standard method in most centers throughout the world. To avoid radiation exposure, reduction without fluoroscopic co nfirmation was studied. Between 1981 and 1985 a total of 224 children were diagnosed and treated for intussusception. The diagnosis was made correctly on clinical grounds in 184 cases; in 40 cases ultrasonograp hy confirmed the clinical diagnosis. Pressurized air reduction was suc cessful in 217 patients (96.9%); seven patients required operative red uction. Ultrasonograms of the abdomen supported the diagnosis in 40 pa tients and confirmed subsequent reduction. This experience demonstrate s that childhood intussusception can be reduced using pneumatic pressu re without exposing the patient to ionizing radiation.