Intussusception is the telescoping of one segment of bowel into the segment next to it. It blocks the intestine and squeezes the mesenteric vessels, so it is an emergency. Questions usually give a young cat with vomiting and a tubular abdominal mass, and ask for the ultrasound sign and the treatment.
Key facts
Intussusception at a glance- Species and system: cat, small and large intestine.
- Definition: the invaginating segment is the intussusceptum; the receiving segment is the intussuscipiens.
- Usual site: the ileocecocolic junction, although any segment can be involved (MSD).
- Causes: intestinal parasites, panleukopenia and other enteritis, foreign bodies, neoplasia, previous surgery; many cases are idiopathic.
- Classic presentation: vomiting, anorexia, abdominal pain, sometimes a palpable sausage-shaped mass.
- Diagnosis: ultrasound, with a target-like lesion in transverse section.
- Treatment: stabilise, then laparotomy with manual reduction, or resection and anastomosis if it cannot be reduced.
What's inside
12 sections in the full guide- Key facts
- How the NAVLE tests this
- Cause and pathophysiology
- Clinical signs
- Diagnosis
- Differential diagnoses
- Treatment and management
- Prevention and public health
- Prognosis
- Quick review
- Test yourself
- References
The full guide also has 4 tables, 1 figure, 3 self-test questions and 8 references, available to NAVLE members.
Read the full study guide
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