Intestinal atresia due to intrauterine intussusception: Analysis of 24 cases in Japan

Abstract

We have presented two cases of intestinal atresia due to intrauterine intussusception and reviewed 22 Japanese cases collected through personal communication. Most of the infants were full-term and without other malformations; they passed meconium, even though the abdominal scout film suggested an ileal atresia. On barium enema, a normal size colon was frequently observed. At operation, the atresia in all cases was single, and cord or gap type, and their prognoses were excellent. A necrotic intussusceptum or polypoid protrusion was seen in the distal bowel. These facts strongly suggest that intrauterine intussusception may occur in a late stage of pregnancy, and cause the impairment of blood supply to the intestine. The presence of occult blood in the meconium is indispensable for the diagnosis of these types of intestinal atresias.