Expectant management of a pediatric patient with traumatic intussusception: Case report with literature review

Intussusception is one of the most common causes of acute abdominal pain in children and a leading cause of intestinal obstruction in infants and young children. It is distinguished by the telescoping of a proximal intestinal segment into a distal section, which may result in ischemia and bowel obstructions. While most pediatric cases are idiopathic and ileocolic, traumatic intussusception is rare and typically involves the small bowel. We report a 13-month-old boy who presented after a motor vehicle accident. Abdominal computed tomography demonstrated an enteroenteric intussusception with grade III hepatic injury. The patient was asymptomatic and managed conservatively with intravenous fluids and observation. Traumatic intussusception should be assessed in children who have experienced trauma. Early discovery may facilitate nonoperative treatment and prevent unnecessary surgery.