HSP, Abdominal Pain, and Intussusception

Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP), an idiopathic vasculitis, is often accompanied by abdominal pain and ileocolic or ileoileal intussusception. To evaluate the safety of contrast enemas (CEs) . . .

Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP), an idiopathic vasculitis, is often accompanied by abdominal pain and ileocolic or ileoileal intussusception. To evaluate the safety of contrast enemas (CEs) in the management of HSP associated with abdominal pain, investigators reviewed medical records of 149 HSP cases diagnosed at two Chicago pediatric institutions from 1986 to 1999.

Of 149 children with HSP, 62 (41.6%) had severe abdominal pain, and 4 (6.2%) were diagnosed with intussusception (2 ileocolic and 2 ileoileal). Ultrasound (US) alone was performed in 22 patients, US and CE in 10 patients, and CE alone in 4 patients. One patient underwent US followed by computed axial tomography of the abdomen, and 25 patients did not undergo either US or CE. None…

Reviewing Author

William P. Kanto, Jr.,, MD