Paediatric surgery: lead point in older child intussusception: practice question

A General Surgery question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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General Surgery · Paediatric surgery: lead point in older child intussusception

Sample item

An 8-year-old boy has a second episode of ileocolic intussusception three weeks after a successful air enema reduction. What should be sought as the cause?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. A pathological lead point such as Meckel diverticulum or lymphoma

Idiopathic intussusception in infants is linked to lymphoid hyperplasia, but in older children and in recurrence a pathological lead point is more likely, for example Meckel diverticulum, a polyp, duplication cyst or ileal lymphoma. Imaging and often operative exploration are needed.

Option by option

  • A. Hypertrophied Peyer patches after a viral illness

    Peyer patch hypertrophy explains typical infant cases, not recurrent episodes in an older child.

  • B. Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis

    Pyloric stenosis is a gastric outlet condition of infants and is unrelated.

  • C. A pathological lead point such as Meckel diverticulum or lymphoma (correct)

    Correct. Recurrence in an older child suggests a structural lead point that must be identified.

  • D. Cow's milk protein allergy

    Cow's milk allergy is not an established cause of recurrent intussusception.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this General Surgery question

What is the answer to this General Surgery question?

The best answer is C, A pathological lead point such as Meckel diverticulum or lymphoma. Idiopathic intussusception in infants is linked to lymphoid hyperplasia, but in older children and in recurrence a pathological lead point is more likely, for example Meckel diverticulum, a polyp, duplication cyst or ileal lymphoma.

Why is "Hypertrophied Peyer patches after a viral illness" not the answer?

Peyer patch hypertrophy explains typical infant cases, not recurrent episodes in an older child.

Why is "Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis" not the answer?

Pyloric stenosis is a gastric outlet condition of infants and is unrelated.

Why is "Cow's milk protein allergy" not the answer?

Cow's milk allergy is not an established cause of recurrent intussusception.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Paediatric surgery: lead point in older child intussusception in General Surgery. Imaging and often operative exploration are needed.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Paediatric surgery: lead point in older child intussusception?

Learn classic signs and eponyms alongside what they diagnose. Then use the flashcards and the other General Surgery questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.