Shear wave elastography evaluation in predicting the success of ultrasound-guided saline enema hydrostatic reduction technique in ileocolic intussusception

Background Intussusception is the invagination of the proximal intestinal segment into the distal portion. Reduction procedures with fluid or air have been used as the primary treatment of choice in clinically stable children. Purpose To evaluate the role of intestinal wall elasticity measurements by shear wave elastography (SWE) to predict the success of ultrasound-guided saline enema (USGSE) reduction. Methods USGSE was performed, if not contraindicated otherwise, after the diagnosis of ileocecal intussusception via the ultrasound (US). The length and diameter of the intussusception and the median stiffness of the intestine were measured before USGSE. Results Seventeen children were diagnosed with ileocolic intussusception via grayscale US assessment. Two children whose SWE images became artifacts due to inadaptability were excluded from the study. Thus, the study involved 15 patients (9 boys, 6 girls; age range = 11–48 months). There was no statistically significant association between age and median stiffness measurement in kilopascal (kPa). ( P > 0.05). A moderate positive correlation was observed between the median stiffness measurement (kPa) and the length of intussusception (r = 0.547; P = 0.035). There was no statistically significant relationship between median stiffness measurement (kPa) and short-axis diameter of intussusception ( P > 0.05). Conclusions Stiffness assessment of the intestinal wall in ileocolic intussusception during the US examination, which is the gold standard in the intussusception assessment, can be used as a new criterion for predicting the performance of the USGSE technique and might be useful in making decisions regarding the clinical management of ileocolic intussusception.