A team led by Dr. Sathyaseelan Subramaniamn at Summerlin Hospital Medical Center in Las Vegas found that point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) was useful in differentiating ileocolic intussusception (ICI) from small-bowel, small-bowel intussusception (SB-SBI), two common pediatric pediatric emergencies that are difficult to distinguish clinically. The study was published September 11, 2021, in The Journal of Emergency Medicine.

“ICI requires radiology personnel and potentially surgical assistance for its reduction. SB-SBI is managed expectantly, as many resolve spontaneously. Differentiating between ICI and SB-SBI through point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) requires an understanding of their salient features. Identification of the correct type of intussusception immediately assists decision making and patient disposition.” wrote the team.

The authors concluded “ICI and SB-SBI can be identified and differentiated using several sonographic features. POCUS is capable of expeditiously aiding the emergency physician’s decision making and disposition when managing intussusception.”

Sources:

Sathyaseelan Subramaniam, MD, Aaron E. Chen, MD, Asef Khwaja, MD, Rachel Rempell, MD. Point-of-Care Ultrasound For Differentiating Ileocolic From Small Bowel-Small Bowel Intussusception. Published: September 11, 2021 DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jemermed.2021.07.002 Accessed September 27, 2021, at https://www.jem-journal.com/article/S0736-4679(21)00540-0/fulltext#articleInformation

Allegretto, Amerigo. “POCUS can help with intussusception in pediatric patients.” AuntMinnie.com September 14, 2021. Accessed September 27, 2021, at https://www.auntminnie.com/index.aspx?sec=sup&sub=ult&pag=dis&ItemID=133476