A study of sensitivity and specificity of ultrasonography in diagnosing intussusception in pediatric age group

Background: Intussusception is the most common cause of intestinal obstruction in pediatric age group. Majority of the patients are under one year of age. Patients commonly present with colicky pain, vomiting and abdominal distention; but if the diagnosis is delayed it can lead to intestinal infarction. Ultrasonography is used for the diagnosis of intussusception. The objective of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of sonography in intussusceptions in pediatric patients.Material Methods: This was a descriptive study carried out in Saidu Teaching Hospital from June 2007 to August 2009. A total of 85 suspected cases of intussusception were included in this study and subjected to ultrasonographic scanning.Results: Out of 85 patients 45 had positive sonographic evidence of intussusception, 43 were later on confirmed by Surgery, while the remaining two had other pathology.Conclusion: Ultrsonography is a noninvasive, sensitive and specific method for the diagnosis of intussusception