Intussusception Misdiagnosis Lawsuits

Intussusception is a disorder in which part of the intestine, most commonly the small intestine, slides into another part, much like a telescope. This often results in a blockage preventing fluids and food from passing through the intestine. It also results in a blockage of the blood supply to the affected part of the intestine. The result can significantly harm the child.

Lack of blood to the intestine can cause necrosis (tissue death), which can then result in an intestinal tear (perforation) and lead to peritonitis and shock. Intussusception most commonly affects young children, particularly infants, although it can also occur in older children and adults. Prompt diagnosis and treatment, usually in the form of emergency care, are essential to successfully treat intussusception without chronic problems or mortality.

Not every case of intussusception can be avoided. But there are far too many serious, permanent injuries and fatal cases that result from the failure to diagnose intussusception. These are usually emergency room cases or cases involving pediatricians, often because doctors fail to recognize the symptoms or fail to order the ultrasound that would have given the doctor the proper diagnosis on a silver platter.

If you believe you or someone you care about has been injured or killed by medical malpractice, we will be glad to talk to you about what happened to you and figure out whether our attorneys think you may have a claim worth pursuing. Call 800-553-8082 or get a free online consultation for your malpractice case.

Symptoms of Intussusception

Probably the most common symptoms are unexplained irritability, vomiting, or abdominal pain in a young child. Unfortunately, these are nonspecific in that they are also symptoms of many other childhood ailments. Intussusception is much less common as children get older, but it can occur in older children.

One important clue is that the pain is often intermittent. A child may suddenly cry, pull the knees toward the chest, or appear to be in severe pain and then seem much better a short time later. That temporary improvement can give doctors and parents false reassurance.

The classic combination of abdominal pain, a palpable abdominal mass, and “currant jelly” stool is well known. But most children do not have all three symptoms. So waiting for bloody stool before considering intussusception can delay the diagnosis.

Other symptoms can include lethargy, diarrhea, abdominal distension, poor feeding, and vomiting.

So if you suspect intussusception, you have to dig deeper.

How Intussusception Is Diagnosed

A physical examination may be performed by the physician to look for a lump in the abdomen, tenderness, or abdominal distension when intestinal obstruction is suspected. Blood, urine, and fecal tests may also be ordered depending on the child’s condition. But these tests do not diagnose intussusception.

Abdominal imaging is usually required. In children, ultrasound is generally the key diagnostic test. It can show the characteristic “target,” “donut,” or “bull’s-eye” appearance caused by one section of bowel telescoping into another.

Modern studies have found that ultrasound is extremely accurate in diagnosing pediatric intussusception. This matters in a malpractice case because there is a safe, noninvasive test available that can usually establish the diagnosis quickly when the symptoms point in that direction.

Abdominal X-rays may be performed when intestinal obstruction or perforation is suspected. But a normal or nondiagnostic X-ray does not reliably rule out intussusception.

CT scans are used more often in adults and in unusual or complicated cases. CT is generally not the first imaging test for a typical young child with suspected intussusception because ultrasound is highly effective and avoids radiation exposure.

Air or liquid contrast enemas may also be used after the diagnosis is made. In the typical pediatric ileocolic intussusception, the enema is not simply another diagnostic test. It is often the treatment used to reduce the intussusception.

Risk Factors for Intussusception

Children are at much higher risk than adults of developing intussusception, with the majority of cases occurring in young children and infants. Boys are somewhat more susceptible than girls.

Many pediatric intussusception cases have no known cause. Healthcare professionals may also identify what is known as a pathological lead point as the cause. One well-known lead point is Meckel’s diverticulum.

Other lead points can include intestinal polyps, duplication cysts, lymphoma, and other structural abnormalities.

Children with congenital defects such as abnormal intestinal formation or malrotation may also be at increased risk of intussusception.

Intussusception can recur and therefore a prior history of intussusception is an important risk factor. A child who returns with the same abdominal pain, vomiting, or lethargy after recently being treated for intussusception deserves particular attention.

Treatment and Outcomes

To avoid dehydration and shock and prevent serious complications, emergency care is necessary to treat intussusception. The patient may be provided with IV fluids to prevent dehydration. A tube may also be inserted through the nose into the stomach in selected cases to help decompress the gastrointestinal tract.

Air or liquid contrast enemas will often correct the intussusception in a stable child when there is no evidence of perforation or peritonitis. The pressure from the enema can push the telescoped portion of bowel back into its normal position.

If an enema is unsuccessful in correcting the problem or if the intestine is perforated, the child is unstable, or there are signs of dead bowel or peritonitis, surgery is required. Surgery involves freeing the portion of the affected intestine and removing any tissue that has died.

Some transient forms of small-bowel intussusception will correct themselves without the need for intervention. However, this is different from the typical symptomatic ileocolic intussusception seen in infants and young children. It is important to seek emergency care when intussusception is suspected to prevent negative outcomes.

Recurrent Intussusception

Intussusception can recur even after successful treatment.

This makes a prior history of intussusception especially important. A child who recently had an intussusception reduced and then returns with the same intermittent abdominal pain, vomiting, lethargy, or other symptoms should not simply be assumed to have a stomach virus.

Many recurrent cases can be treated successfully with another enema reduction. Repeated or unusual recurrences may also cause doctors to investigate whether there is a pathological lead point.

Misdiagnosis of Intussusception

Successful management of intestinal obstructions occurring in the neonatal period depends on quick and accurate diagnosis and effective therapy. Intestinal obstructions in neonates may be due to several causes, including stenosis, malrotation, meconium plug syndrome, anorectal malformations, necrotizing enterocolitis, and other rare disorders.

Though intussusception is a leading cause of intestinal obstruction in infants and young children, it is extremely rare in newborns and preterm babies, which lends to misdiagnosis.

Published case studies have demonstrated that intussusception may be misdiagnosed as necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) because abdominal masses are rarely present and symptoms are similar to NEC, including abdominal distension, bloody stools, vomiting, and feeding intolerance.

Due to the higher prevalence of NEC in this age group and the similarity of symptoms, doctors may initially focus on NEC while an intussusception remains untreated.

A 2021 systematic review of intussusception in premature newborns found that abdominal distension, bilious gastric residuals, and bloody stools were common findings, but only about one-third of the reported cases involved all three symptoms.

Ultrasound scans can help establish an early diagnosis of intussusception in newborns.

Misdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis in older children are also common due to the presentation of symptoms that can mimic more common conditions, such as acute appendicitis, viral infections, or gastroenteritis.

Proper use and interpretation of imaging is required to minimize misdiagnosis, false positives, and false negatives. Surgical consultants are appropriate in cases involving significant abdominal findings, failed reduction, suspected bowel compromise, or other evidence that surgery may be required.

When Is a Missed Intussusception Medical Malpractice?

Not every case of intussusception can be avoided, and not every missed diagnosis is malpractice. The symptoms can overlap with much more common childhood illnesses.

But some cases have warning signs that should have prompted the doctor to dig deeper.

Examples include:

• Failing to consider intussusception in an infant or young child with repeated episodes of severe abdominal pain
• Assuming diarrhea means the child only has viral gastroenteritis
• Waiting for currant-jelly stool before considering intussusception
• Failing to order an ultrasound despite continuing or worsening symptoms
• Prematurely discharging a child with continuing episodic pain, vomiting, lethargy, or abdominal findings
• Failing to recognize recurrent intussusception in a child who was recently treated for the condition
• Delaying treatment after imaging has already shown intussusception
• Failing to obtain surgical care when enema reduction fails or when bowel ischemia, perforation, or peritonitis is suspected

The malpractice question usually comes down to what the doctor knew, what the symptoms showed, and whether a reasonable doctor should have suspected intussusception before the bowel suffered permanent damage.

What Is the Most Common Cause of Intussusception?

Many pediatric intussusception cases have unknown causes. Some researchers suspect that a viral infection may play a role because lymphoid tissue in the intestine can enlarge after an infection and potentially act as a lead point.

Healthcare professionals may also identify a pathological lead point as the condition’s cause. One well-known lead point is Meckel’s diverticulum.

Other pathological lead points include:

• A tumor or polyp
• A duplication cyst
• Lymphoma
• Other structural abnormalities of the intestine

Medical conditions or surgical procedures are more likely to cause adult intussusception. They include:

• A tumor or polyp
• Intestinal adhesions
• Weight loss surgery or other intestinal tract procedures
• Inflammation caused by certain diseases, including Crohn’s disease

Intussusception in Adults

Intussusception is an extremely rare condition in adults. Only a small percentage of all intussusception cases involve adults, and only a small percentage of adult bowel obstruction cases involve intussusception.

Radiologists may overlook potential signs because adult intussusception is uncommon and can present simply as abdominal pain.

Adult intussusception is different from pediatric intussusception because an identifiable structural lead point is much more common. Tumors are an important concern, particularly when the colon is involved.

CT scanning plays a much larger role in diagnosing intussusception in adults.

Not every adult intussusception seen on a CT scan requires immediate surgery. Modern imaging sometimes detects short, transient small-bowel intussusceptions that resolve without an operation.

But patients with obstruction, bowel ischemia, persistent symptoms, a visible lead point, or colonic intussusception may require surgery. The possibility of an underlying malignancy is particularly important in adult colonic intussusception.

Intussusception Settlements and Verdicts

• 2025, New York: $4,300,000 Settlement. An infant suffered vomiting and diarrhea. He went to Coney Island Hospital and was diagnosed with gastritis and gastroduodeniti and discharged. The next day, his symptoms worsened and he went this time to Cohen Children’s Hospital. The child was diagnosed with intussusception and later developed sepsis and compartment syndrome. He required surgery and suffered nerve and vascular damage, muscle necrosis, right foot drop, and a permanently impaired gait. The infant’s parents alleged in their lawsuit negligence against the hospitals and medical providers. They claimed the defendants failed to timely diagnose and treat intussusception and bowel obstruction, failed to properly manage his care, and allowed his condition to deteriorate. The defendants denied negligence and contended the infant’s initial symptoms were consistent with gastritis and gastroduodenitis, not intussusception. This case settled for $4,300,000.
• 2019, South Carolina: $1,000,000 Settlement. A 7-month-old girl suffered bloody stool and vomiting. She was diagnosed with viral gastroenteritis and nausea. The girl was then discharged home. Her condition failed to resolve. Two days after being discharged, she became unresponsive while on her way to her pediatrician. The girl died hours later. Her autopsy showed that she died from intussusception-caused sepsis. The girl’s family alleged negligence against the hospital. They claimed its staff failed to rule out intussusception, failed to order an ultrasound, and prematurely discharged her. This case settled for $1,000,000.
• 2018, Pennsylvania: $6,500,000 Settlement. A 10-month-old boy suffered diarrhea, vomiting, and a fever over three days. His parents brought him to the emergency room. The boy was admitted. His ultrasound revealed intussusception. However, the boy was transferred to another hospital for “abdominal pain.” He suffered from lethargy, sinus tachycardia, and dehydration. However, the hospital staff failed to hear any bowel sounds. The boy’s condition declined. He was pronounced dead hours later. The boy’s cause of death was septic shock from dehydration and intussusception. His parents alleged negligence against the hospital. They claimed the defendants failed to timely perform diagnostic studies and diagnose an obstructed bowel. This case settled for $6,500,000.

Intussusception Medical Studies

Alsabri, M., et al. (2026). Accuracy of ultrasound for intussusception in pediatric emergency presentations: a systematic review and diagnostic meta-analysis. International Journal of Emergency Medicine, 19, 41.

This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the accuracy of ultrasound in diagnosing pediatric intussusception. The researchers analyzed 44 studies involving 4,142 children. They found pooled sensitivity of 96.3% and specificity of 95.7%. The researchers concluded that ultrasound is a highly accurate first-line diagnostic tool for pediatric intussusception.

Alansari, A. N., et al. (2026). Ultrasound-guided hydrostatic enema reduction for intussusception in children younger than 12 months: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Pediatric Surgery International, 42, 324.

This meta-analysis looked at ultrasound-guided hydrostatic reduction in infants younger than one year. The researchers evaluated 22 studies involving 2,656 infants. They found an 80% pooled success rate, an 8% recurrence rate, and a 2% perforation rate. The researchers concluded that ultrasound-guided hydrostatic reduction is a safe and effective nonsurgical treatment in appropriately selected infants, although the certainty of the evidence was limited.

Long, B., Easter, J., & Koyfman, A. (2025). High risk and low incidence diseases: Pediatric intussusception. American Journal of Emergency Medicine, 91, 37-45.

This review looked at the diagnosis and emergency management of pediatric intussusception. The researchers emphasized that the classic triad of abdominal pain, currant-jelly stool, and a palpable abdominal mass is uncommon. Most children instead present with intermittent abdominal pain, while younger children may have less specific symptoms such as lethargy. The authors identify ultrasound as the diagnostic test of choice.

Shavit, I., et al. (2024). Practice variation in the management of pediatric intussusception: a narrative review. European Journal of Pediatrics, 183(11), 4897-4904.

This review looked at differences in how pediatric intussusception is diagnosed and treated. The researchers reviewed 56 papers and found variation in point-of-care ultrasound, pneumatic versus hydrostatic reduction, sedation, observation after reduction, and the timing of surgery after failed reduction.

Kelley-Quon, L. I., et al. (2021). Management of intussusception in children: A systematic review. Journal of Pediatric Surgery, 56(3), 587-596.

This systematic review looked at the treatment options for pediatric intussusception. The researchers evaluated 83 articles. They concluded that pre-reduction antibiotics were unnecessary, healthcare providers should maximize non-operative outpatient management, and that minimally invasive techniques were an effective alternative to laparotomies.

Kim, P. H., et al. (2021). Predictors of failed enema reduction in children with intussusception: a systematic review and meta-analysis. European Radiology, 31(11), 8081-8097.

This meta-analysis identified the potential signs of failed enema reductions in pediatric intussusception. The researchers evaluated 38 studies. They found that shorter symptom durations and abdominal pain were associated with successful reductions. By contrast, the researchers found that being less than a year old, fever, vomiting, rectal bleeding, left-sided intussusception, ascites, and trapped fluid were associated with failed reductions. They concluded that their evidence would help distinguish potential surgical candidates from patients who were likely to have a failed procedure.

Kotb, M., et al. (2021). Intussusception in preterm neonates: A systematic review of a rare condition. BMC Pediatrics, 21(1), 1-8.

This study examined the clinical features of neonatal intussusception and how to distinguish it from necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). The researchers looked at 52 cases. They found that 85 percent of cases involved abdominal distension, 77 percent involved bilious gastric residuals, and 43 percent involved bloody stools. However, the researchers found that only one-third of cases involved all three symptoms. Two-thirds of cases took place in the ileum. Seven cases involved pathological lead points, four of which were related to Meckel’s diverticulum. Only nine cases involved death. The researchers concluded that it was “crucial” to detect intussusception clues in a timely manner because it does not respond well to conservative treatments like NEC does.

Li, X. Z., et al. (2021). Ultrasonographic Diagnosis of Intussusception in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine, 40(6), 1077-1084.

This meta-analysis and systematic review evaluated whether ultrasonography could accurately diagnose pediatric intussusception. The researchers looked at 14 studies. They found that ultrasonography diagnosed pediatric intussusception with high sensitivity and specificity. The newer 2026 meta-analysis above reached essentially the same conclusion using a larger evidence base.

Lyons, D., & Sidhu, S. (2019). Missed case of intussusception, a rare cause of abdominal pain in adults: A case report emphasizing the imaging findings and review of the literature. Radiology Case Reports, 14(8), 906-910.

This case study involved a man whose intussusception was misdiagnosed as a suspected passed kidney stone. It found that the radiologist failed to recognize subtle intussusception signs in the man’s CT imaging. The researchers concluded that healthcare providers should consider intussusception as a differential diagnosis for abdominal pain in adults. They further concluded that radiologists must better familiarize themselves with clearer and subtler radiological signs of intussusception.

Intussusception and Other Medical Malpractice Claims in Maryland

If you or someone you love has suffered as a result of a medical misdiagnosis or failure to diagnose intussusception, call at 800-553-8082 or get a free online no-obligation consultation.

• Misdiagnosis lawsuits
• Medical malpractice claims in Maryland: an overview