The plain abdominal film in intussusception: the accuracy and incidence of radiographic signs.

The incidence of four plain abdominal film features associated with intussusception was recorded by four observers in 180 films of patients with intussusception mixed with 100 films of control subjects. The crescent sign and target sign were the most accurate indicators of intussusception. The target sign was the commoner being seen in 68% of films. Signs of small bowel obstruction were not useful in the diagnosis of intussusception. The soft tissue mass was the commonest indicator of intussusception. The soft tissue mass was found more commonly, however, than small bowel obstruction in the control subjects who did not have intussusception.