Journal of pediatric surgery
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It is generally accepted that an intussusception caused by a lead point will not be reduced by hydrostatic barium enema. This was reported several years ago, and has continued to be a consistent finding, prompting us to attempt hydrostatic barium enema reductions of recurrent intussusceptions in infants and children and also in older children with a first intussusception. However, in the last 9 years we have treated five children whose ileocolic intussusceptions were caused by lead points but which were reduced by hydrostatic barium enema. ⋯ However, a residual and persistent filling defect in the colon or ileocecal area made laparotomy mandatory. In all five cases, a lead point was found and resected. This experience has suggested to us that a residual intraluminal filling defect in the barium column following what appears to be adequate flooding of the terminal ileum should be interpreted as a lead point, and an indication for a laparotomy.