Intussusception is the telescoping of one segment of bowel into the adjacent distal segment, creating obstruction and potential ischemia. Symptoms differ between infants and adults but share a core pattern: Paroxysmal abdominal painSudden, severe colic lasting 15–20 minutes recurs with increasing frequency; the infant screams, draws up the knees, or an adult doubles over in pain . VomitingInitially gastric fluid, later bilious, as small-bowel obstruction develops . “Currant-jelly” stoolBlood mixed with mucus appears after venous congestion of the intussusceptum; it is more common in infants but can occur in adults . Palpable sausage-shaped massThe intussuscepted segment may be felt in... Learn more