Which description of stool is classically associated with intussusception?

Which description of stool is classically associated with intussusception?

• A. Green watery stool
• B. Black tarry stool
• C. Normal stool
• D. Red currant jelly stool

Answer: (D)

Intussusception causes venous congestion and mucosal ischemia in the telescoped segment, which leads to bleeding mixed with mucus leaking into the bowel. That combination creates a stool described as red currant jelly—blood-tinged mucus that’s classically associated with this condition. This sign often accompanies the other clues of intussusception, such as episodic crying and drawing up the legs, and sometimes a palpable sausage-shaped mass in the abdomen. Other stool descriptions don’t fit this scenario: green watery stool points to gastroenteritis or diarrhea, black tarry stool suggests melena from an upper GI bleed, and normal stool would not reflect the mucosal bleeding seen with intussusception.

Intussusception causes venous congestion and mucosal ischemia in the telescoped segment, which leads to bleeding mixed with mucus leaking into the bowel. That combination creates a stool described as red currant jelly—blood-tinged mucus that’s classically associated with this condition. This sign often accompanies the other clues of intussusception, such as episodic crying and drawing up the legs, and sometimes a palpable sausage-shaped mass in the abdomen. Other stool descriptions don’t fit this scenario: green watery stool points to gastroenteritis or diarrhea, black tarry stool suggests melena from an upper GI bleed, and normal stool would not reflect the mucosal bleeding seen with intussusception.