Abdomen X-ray 2 (Intussusception)

Upright abdomen x-ray in a 8.3-year-old boy with Henoch-Schönlein purpura and severe abdominal signs. There is scarce air in the abdomen; in the left upper quadrant distended intestinal loops and one air-fluid level in the left middle abdomen are visible. In this case on laparotomy a symptomatic intussusception was found. Invaginations in Henoch-Schönlein purpura as well as in postoperative intussusceptions are usually within the small intestine and not recognizable by contrast enema; hardly so by ultrasound. A possible screening examination may be an abdomen x-ray, but a contrast gastrointestinal x-ray or a CT are diagnostic. The latter examinations are also indicated in chronic invaginations following tumors, such as Non-Hodgkin lymphoma.