Intussusception: additional observations on the plain radiograph

The plain radiographs of 40 patients with intussusception were reviewed with special attention to diagnostic features previously reported in this condition. Sixty percent of the cases demonstrated a soft-tissue mass on the radiograph. However, fully one-half of all masses were seen only on a horizontal beam radiograph. The use of plain radiographs to exclude the diagnosis of intussusception is not advocated. Nevertheless, attention is drawn to the frequency of abnormal plain findings, especially a soft-tissue mass on the horizontal beam examination.