American family physician
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Intussusception is the invagination of one bowel segment into another. It is an emergent condition that most commonly affects infants between five and nine months of age, but it can also occur in other age groups. The etiology is usually idiopathic in infants five to nine months of age; neonates, older children and adults more commonly have lead points such as a Meckel's diverticulum or a neoplasm. ⋯ Barium enema is the gold standard for diagnosis and also has therapeutic potential for reducing the intussusception. Ultrasound is an accurate, low-risk screening tool when performed and interpreted by an experienced ultrasonographer. Surgical reduction is performed if nonoperative reduction is contraindicated or unsuccessful, or if a lead point is suspected.