Which term refers to the telescoping of one part of the intestine into another?

• A. Pyloric Stenosis
• B. RSV
• C. Intussusception
• D. SIDS

Answer: (C)

Intussusception is when a portion of the intestine telescopes into the adjacent distal segment, like a telescope sliding into itself. This invagination can pull the attached mesentery and blood vessels, leading to reduced blood flow, bowel wall edema, and potential obstruction. Clinically, it often presents in young children with intermittent, crampy abdominal pain, the child may draw the knees up during episodes, and later there can be vomiting and, classically, currant jelly stools from mucosal bleeding. A palpable sausage-shaped abdominal mass may be detected. Ultrasound is a key diagnostic tool and typically shows a target or donut sign where the layers of bowel create concentric rings. Treatment aims to reduce the telescoped segment; an air or contrast enema can often reduce it nonoperatively if there are no signs of perforation or peritonitis, but surgery is needed if nonoperative reduction fails or if there are signs of ischemia. The other terms refer to entirely different conditions: pyloric stenosis is a gastric outlet obstruction causing projectile vomiting; RSV is a respiratory virus; SIDS is sudden infant death syndrome.