What is the definition of intussusception?

Bowel obstruction: When bowel telescopes into bowel this is an intussusception. Examples include colon into colon, small bowel into colon or colon into small bowel or small bowel into small bowel. This leads to an intestinal obstruction with symptoms of pain, vomiting and currant jelly stools or blood in the stools.

Telescoping intestin: Intussusception is when the intestine telescopes into downstream intestine like an old-fashioned radio antennae. This can rsult in obstruction, crampy abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, perforation and shock. It is diagnosed with an air contrast or barium enema and may be treated with same study. If not reducable then surgery is necessary.