What imaging finding is suggestive of intussusception in pediatric patients?

The presence of a "doughnut" or "target" sign on abdominal ultrasound is highly suggestive of intussusception in pediatric patients. This imaging finding occurs due to the characteristic appearance of the bowel structures when one segment of the intestine telescopes into another. On ultrasound, this can create a cross-sectional view that resembles a target or doughnut shape, with the inner layer representing the intussusceptum and the outer layer showing the intussuscipiens.

This imaging technique is particularly useful in children because it is non-invasive, does not involve radiation, and can be performed rapidly at the bedside to aid in the diagnosis of intussusception, which is a medical emergency that requires timely intervention.

Other findings such as air-fluid levels on X-ray can indicate bowel obstruction but are not specific for intussusception. Enlarged lymph nodes on CT may suggest other conditions such as infections or tumors and do not directly indicate intussusception. Normal bowel gas patterns would not point to any pathology, making them unhelpful for diagnosing intussusception. Thus, the doughnut or target sign is a critical and specific indicator of this condition in pediatric patients.