Intussusception due to segmental aganglionosis.

Abstract

INTUSSUSCEPTION is a frequent abdominal emergency of childhood, its treatment having captured the interest of physicians since Jonathan Hutchinson's first operative reduction in 1873.1Although numerous theories exist as to the cause of this condition, approximately 95 per cent of all cases remain without a specific etiologic agent. In the remaining 5 per cent, specific causative factors such as Meckel's diverticulum, intestinal polyp, duplication of small bowel, etc., have been described.1-4We recently observed a patient with a previously undescribed specific cause of intussusception, segmental aganglionosis, whose case is reported here. Case History A 4-month-old female infant was admitted to the 97th General Hospital in January, 1958, with abdominal colic, vomiting, and obstipation; a right lower quadrant mass was palpable on physical examination. Barium enema examination confirmed the presumptive diagnosis of intussusception, but hydrostatic reduction was not possible. Abdominal exploration was then done and reduction accomplished, but