Paediatrics: Intussusception: Free MSRA Podcast

⚕️ FREE MSRA PODCAST – Intussusception🎧 A clear, high-yield breakdown of this paediatric bowel emergency – perfect for exam prep and real-life clinical scenarios.🧠 Key Learning Points📌 Definition• Intussusception is when a segment of the bowel telescopes into an adjacent section, causing obstruction and possible ischemia.📌 Causes & Risk Factors• Often idiopathic, especially in young children• Viral infections (e.g. rotavirus, adenovirus, HHV-6)• Enlarged Peyer’s patches• Pathological lead points: Meckel’s diverticulum, polyps, lymphoma• Risk factors: 6–18 months, peak 5–9 months, male sex (3:1 ratio), prior intussusception• Mnemonic: "3 months, 3 to 1 boy-girl ratio, 3 signs"📌 Pathophysiology• Telescoping of bowel leads to obstruction• Mesenteric compression → venous congestion → ischemia → necrosis → perforation• Most commonly at ileocecal junction📌 Symptoms• Sudden onset colicky abdominal pain• Drawing up of legs• Vomiting (often bile-stained)• Currant jelly stool (late sign: blood + mucus)• Palpable right-sided “sausage-shaped” mass• Periods of well-being between pain episodes• Mnemonic: “TRIAD” – Tummy pain, Red stool, Irritability📌 Differential Diagnosis• Appendicitis• Gastroenteritis• Colic• Testicular torsion• Volvulus• Hernia• Cystic fibrosis complications📌 Diagnosis• Ultrasound – first-line, shows “target” or “donut” sign• Contrast or air enema – diagnostic & therapeutic• X-ray – for obstruction or perforation• Bloods – FBC (↑WCC), U&Es for dehydration• Tip: Think “bullseye” on scan = bowel-in-bowel📌 Management• Initial stabilisation: IV fluids, correct electrolytes, antibiotics• Non-surgical reduction: Air or contrast enema (1st-line)• Surgery if: enema fails, perforation, peritonitis, or suspected pathological lead point• Admit for observation and follow-up• Repeat enema may be considered if stable📌 Complications• Bowel necrosis• Perforation → peritonitis• Sepsis• Failure to thrive (chronic cases)• Recurrence (5–15%)📌 Prognosis• Excellent with prompt diagnosis and treatment• Enema works in most cases• Low mortality (<1%) in developed settings📎 More MSRA Resources for Intussusception📝 Revision Notes:https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/intussusception-revision-notes/🧠 Flashcards:https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/intussusception-flashcards/💬 Accordion Q&A Notes:https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/intussusception-accordion-qa-notes/🚀 Rapid Quiz:https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/intussusception-rapid-quiz/🎓 Full Course:https://www.passthemsra.com/courses/paediatrics-for-the-msra/Hashtags#MSRA #MSRARevision #MSRATextbook #MSRAQuiz #MSRAQuestionBank #MSRAFlashcards #MSRAQandANotes #MSRAAccordions #MultiSpecialtyRecruitmentAssessment #MSRAOnlineRevision #MSRARevisionWebsite #Paediatrics #Intussusception