Intussusception: prediction of outcome of gas enema

Abstract

Gas has replaced barium as the preferred medium for enema reduction of intussusception in tertiary pediatric institutions. Previously, adverse clinical features that in combination predicted a low likelihood of successful reduction using barium had been identified and used to select patients suitable for attempted enema reduction. This study examines whether these adverse features are equally applicable to gas reduction of intussusception. For any given number of adverse features, gas enema reduction was found more likely to be successful than barium reduction and, in the absence of clinical evidence of peritonitis, multiple adverse features probably do not represent a contraindication to attempted gas enema reduction.