The Push That Counts – Advances in Intussusception Reduction

Ileocolic intussusception. It’s one of the most familiar emergencies in pediatricimaging - but is it time to rethink how we manage it?From evolving reduction techniques and global perspectiveson ultrasound-guided management, to new insights on timing, repeat attempts,patient comfort, and even emerging medical therapies — the “classic” approachis getting a fresh look.Through expert interviews and a dynamic journal-club stylediscussion, we explore a key shift in the field: moving from aone-size-fits-all emergency mindset to a more thoughtful, patient-centeredapproach. Because sometimes, the push that counts… is the push torethink.Links to topics discussed in this episode:SarkarA, Ingram ME, Tian Y, Many BT, Rizeq Y, Goldstein SD, Rigsby CK, Raval MV. ARetrospective Cohort Study of Optimal Contrast for Successful IntussusceptionReduction: Institutional Practices Matter. J Surg Res. 2021 Nov;267:159-166. Snyder EJ,Pruthi S, Hernanz-Schulman M. Making intussusception reductions easier: use ofmedical air in lieu of manual pump. Pediatr Radiol. 2023 Feb;53(2):217-222. Ayana CT,Feleke T, Bazezew A, Mehari Z, Yaynishet YA, Getinet T, Belina M, Hailu SS.Treatment outcome of ultrasound-guided hydrostatic reduction of intussusceptionand its associated factors among pediatric patients in a resource-limitedsetting. Pediatr Radiol. 2025 Aug;55(9):1829-1837.  Acer-DemirT, Gültekingil A, Fakıoğlu E, Güney LH, Sezer R. Successful Treatment of EarlyPresenting Intussusception With a Single Dose of Corticosteroid: A ProspectiveRandomized Controlled Trial. J Pediatr Surg. 2025 Apr;60(4):162198. Shikha A,Ahmed M, Zaghloul Z, Eltaeb K, Wong J. Protocolized management ofintussusception in children: optimizing pneumatic reduction outcomes. PediatrSurg Int. 2025 Jul 25;41(1):231. PoonaiN et al. Sedation and Analgesia for Reduction of Pediatric IleocolicIntussusception. JAMA Netw Open. 2023 Jun 1;6(6):e2317200.  SwedTobia R, Daya T, Desai N, Gilley M, Baird R, Poonai N, Sabhaney V.Practice-Change Pathway to Reduce Procedural Distress During IntussusceptionReduction-A Quality Improvement Initiative. Pediatr Emerg Care. 2026 Feb1;42(2):139-145.  Ma GMY,Lillehei C, Callahan MJ. Air contrast enema reduction of single and recurrentileocolic intussusceptions in children: patterns, management and outcomes.Pediatr Radiol. 2020 May;50(5):664-672. SchuhJM, Hilt L, Bergner C, Boyd K, Van Arendonk K, Wagner AJ. Delay of IleocolicIntussusception Reduction is Safe and May Confer Benefit. J Surg Res. 2025Nov;315:790-797. Lopez-RippeJ, Davis JC, Dennis RA, Kaplan SL, Delgado J. Impact of a 6-12-h delay betweenileocolic intussusception diagnostic US and fluoroscopic reduction on patients'outcomes. Pediatr Radiol. 2024 Jul;54(8):1294-1301.  StrubelNA, Barton K, Baran TM, Wakeman D, Chaturvedi A, Diaz E, Jha S, John SD, LalaSV, Leland K, Silva CT, Thomas RD, Williams JL, Chess MA. Multicenter analysisof time interval to intussusception reduction: Success and complication rates.J Pediatr Surg. 2026 Feb 16;61(6):163023.