Objective: Inversion of the superior mesenteric vessels is associated with various conditions. The purpose of this study was to prospectively evaluate the position of these vessels in infants with idiopathic ileocolic intussusception.
Subjects and methods: Abdominal sonography was performed before and after reduction of ileocolic intussusception in 16 infants.
Results: In 14 infants with ileocolic intussusception proximal to the splenic flexure, the relationship of the superior mesenteric vessels was normal (superior mesenteric vein to the right ventral side of superior mesenteric artery). Inversion of the superior mesenteric vessels (superior mesenteric vein to the left of the superior mesenteric artery) was found in two patients with distal ileocolic intussusception (head of the intussusceptum at the sigmoid colon or rectum). After reduction, the relationship of these vessels was normal in all 16 infants.
Conclusion: Inversion of the superior mesenteric vessels is sometimes caused by distal ileocolic intussusception in infants.