ULTRASONOGRAPHY OF JEJUNAL INTUSSUSCEPTION IN CHILDREN

OBJECTIVE: To describe the ultrasonographic findings in different form s of jejunal intussusception in three children. PATIENTS AND METHOD: T WO children with hamartomatous polyps of the jejunum acting as lead po ints for antegrade jejunoileocolic intussusception and retrograde jeju noduodenogastric intussusception respectively and one child with idiop athic postoperative intussusception were examined by ultrasonography. RESULTS: The findings of the US studies were abnormal and different in each case, depending on the underlying condition and the direction (a ntegrade or retrograde) of the intussusception. The hamartomatous poly ps were seen as hyperechoic solid masses but could not be diagnosed mo re specifically with US. A target lesion was found in the case of idio pathic postoperative intussusception. The US results prompted the next imaging procedure, air enema in the one patient in whom the intussusc eption had reached the colon and preoperative barium meal in all of th e patients. Surgery was performed without the delay that usually occur s with jejunal intussusception. CONCLUSION: In the appropriate clinica l setting, US should be used to look for jejunal intussusception, so t hat suitable diagnostic gastrointestinal studies can be performed and delay in diagnosis avoided.