Intussusception Reduction 1991: an International Survey of Pediatric Radiologists

A detailed survey of intussusception reduction practices at the International Pediatric Radiology '91 meeting in Stockholm yielded 78 responses from radiologists representing 21 countries on six continents. Results indicates a striking lack of conscensus on basic technical issues such as the type of contrast material or reducing agent, the pressure limits for reduction, the use of balloon-tip tubes, the role of sedation, manipulation of the abdomen during reduction, and duration of symptoms beyond which reduction would not be attempted. For example, while gas reduction has been strongly promoted in the literature during the late 1980's, only 34.7% of the respondents indicated that this was their principle choice of reducing agent. Among technique choices which produced significant correlations with outcome, it is noteworthy that pooled data suggest an eightfold increase in perforations among those using gas rather than liquid for reduction. Also, although 53.8% of respondents use parenteral sedation at least part of the time, those who reported using it regularly had significantly lower success rates than all other radiologists. This study provides a current sampling of international opinion in a subject of importance to all pediatric radiologists; and by linking the response with reported outcomes suggests opportunities for further investigation.