Meckel's diverticulum diagnosed by double‐balloon enteroscopy: A single‐center retrospective study in Taiwan

Perforation of Meckel's diverticulum by an unusual foreign body: A case report and a review of literature

Key Clinical Message

Perforation of Meckel's diverticulum (MD) is rare, particularly by foreign body. High index of suspicion and thorough intraoperative assessment is needed in patients undergoing surgery for acute appendicitis, specifically when appendix appears normal.

Abstract

Meckel's diverticulum is the most common congenital anomaly of the gastrointestinal tract. While often asymptomatic, it can present with several complications. Perforation due to foreign body ingestion is rare but can have severe consequences if late diagnosis occurs. A 13-year-old male, initially suspected of acute appendicitis, was eventually diagnosed with perforation of MD by a wood splinter-like foreign body after intraoperative assessment. Histological analysis revealed ectopic colonic tissue within the MD, a finding whose implications are not well understood, in contrast with the well-established complications associated with ectopic gastric and pancreatic tissues. This case highlights the diagnostic challenges of MD, which can mimic acute appendicitis, emphasizing the need for high suspicion when faced with atypical clinical presentation such as foreign body-induced perforation. Although surgical resection of asymptomatic MD remains controversial, we recommend a case-specific approach based on risk factors to guide decision-making on surgical resection for asymptomatic MD.

Diagnosis of Inverted Meckel's diverticulum by double-balloon enteroscopy: a case report

Background

Meckel's diverticulum (MD) is the most common congenital defect of the gastrointestinal tract, occurring in about 1% to 2% of population. Most MD are rarely symptomatic, with presenting symptoms including diverticulitis, digestive tract hemorrhage and intestinal obstruction. The semblance of symptoms to enteritis and appendicitis makes preoperative diagnosis challenging. Current diagnosis of MD includes technetium-99m pertechnate scan, laparoscopic or intraoperative findings and examining surgical specimens. Here, we report that a double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) improves the diagnosis accuracy of MD and presents high clinical application value.

Case Description

A 12-year-old male patient was admitted to our hospital due to recurrent abdominal pain and black stools for more than half a year, recurrence for 2 days, accompanied by vomiting. The boy had anemic appearance, with periumbilical tenderness, and no mass was detected upon palpations. Past medical records revealed recurrent abdominal pain episodes thrice. Pre-surgery 99TcmO4-single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) imaging was performed but did not reach the condition for diagnosis of MD. DBE was then performed and identified an upper ileum mass. After surgery, it was confirmed that the patient was an inverted MD, and the pathology showed gastric mucosa and pancreatic tissue. The patient recovered well after surgery and was discharged.

Conclusions

DBE is not widely used in the diagnosis of MD, but its accuracy is higher than that of radionuclide scanning imaging. In addition, several advantages such as hemostasis treatment, direct detection and observation of the diverticulum, and demarcation of the site and scope of the lesion prior to surgery brings high clinical application value.

Meckel diverticulum scintigraphy: technique, findings and diagnostic pitfalls

Meckel diverticulum, the most common congenital anomaly of the gastrointestinal tract, results from the aberrant involution of the omphalomesenteric duct and accounts for more than 50% of unexplained lower gastrointestinal bleeding in the pediatric population. The most accurate imaging tool to identify a Meckel diverticulum containing ectopic gastric mucosa is the Technetium-99m pertechnetate Meckel scan, a scintigraphic study with a reported accuracy of 90% in the pediatric population. In addition to depicting a Meckel diverticulum with ectopic gastric mucosa, careful attention to the normal biodistribution of the radiotracer can lead to the identification of unexpected pathology with implications for patient management. This article serves to review the embryological origin and anatomical features of Meckel diverticulum, highlight the role of scintigraphy in evaluating Meckel diverticulum, and discuss the proper imaging technique when performing this test. We will focus on pitfalls that can lead to an erroneous diagnosis as well as incidental findings that can affect patient management.