Intussusception is the invagination of one proximal segment of the intestine into an adjacent distal segment and represents a common pediatric emergency, requiring radiological expertise for both diagnosis and treatment [1]. It is a leading cause of acute abdomen in children aged 3 months to 3 years, although it can occur at any age. In pediatric patients, intussusception is primarily associated with hypertrophic lymphoid tissue post-infection and in most cases a lead point is not identified [2].

The classic clinical triad of intermittent abdominal pain, vomiting and a right upper quadrant mass, along with occult or gross blood on rectal exam, occurs in fewer than 20% of cases [2, 3]. Delayed diagnosis and treatment of ileocolic intussusception can result in serious complications, including ischemic necrosis and intestinal perforation [1].

There are four main intussusception types: ileocolic, ileoileocolic, ileoileal, and colocolic. In children, ileocolic intussusception is the most common type, comprising more than 80% of cases, likely due to the abundance of lymphoid tissue in the terminal ileum and the anatomy of the ileocecal region [1, 2]. The majority of ileocolic intussusceptions are located in the subhepatic region [3].