Criteria
Diagnostic criteria by ultrasound
Findings seen on abdominal ultrasound that are consistent with intussusception:
An intussusception mass is a 3 to 5 cm deep abdominal wall mass, commonly located on the right side of the abdomen
A target sign (variants according to appearance or imaging modality include bull’s eye sign, donut sign, crescent-in-donut sign, and multiple concentric ring sign) is described as a single hypoechoic ring with a hyperechoic center indicating that one portion of the bowel has been drawn within the lumen of an adjacent portion. [Figure caption and citation for the preceding image starts]: Transverse sonogram of the abdomen showing the donut sign (concentric rings within the lumen of a distended loop of bowel)Adapted from the Student BMJ. 2008;16:76. Copyright 2010 by the BMJ Publishing Group; used with permission [Citation ends].
The pseudokidney sign describes stacked hypoechoic and hyperechoic layers representing edematous bowel wall alternating with the layer of compressed mucosa. A similar-appearing ultrasound finding has been described as the sandwich sign.
Doppler flow analysis may be abnormal because the mesentery is compressed in the intussusception mass.
Diagnostic criteria by contrast enema
The meniscus (or crescent) sign and coiled spring sign are the classic findings consistent with intussusception on contrast enema (air or contrast reagent) exam. The meniscus sign refers to the appearance of the rounded apex of the intussusceptum protruding into a column of contrast material in the intussuscipiens. The coiled spring sign refers to the appearance of the edematous mucosal folds of the returning limb of the intussusceptum outlined by contrast material.[22][27][Figure caption and citation for the preceding image starts]: Site of intussusception as revealed by abdominal x-ray, showing the meniscusFrom the collection of Dr David J. Hackam; used with permission [Citation ends].
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