Many faces of Meckel’s diverticulum and its complications

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.

Management of vesicoenteric fistulas arising from perforated Meckel's diverticulum: a report of a case and review of the literature

Vesicoenteric fistulas are rare, with an incidence of 0.1%-0.2% in the general population, and Meckel's diverticulum is a rare cause, accounting for less than 5% of cases with challenging diagnosis due to atypical symptoms at the admission. This article presents a case of a vesicoenteric fistula formation between Meckel's diverticulum perforated by a foreign body and urinary bladder in a 38-years-old Caucasian male admitted to emergency department due to colicky abdominal pain located in the lower abdomen. An extensive review of the literature was conducted referring all the cases of vesicoenteric fistula incorporating Meckel's diverticulum to elucidate the clinical characteristics, explore the diagnostic yield, and to summarize the therapeutic approach.

Ileo-Ileal Intussusception Caused by a Meckel's Diverticulum With Ectopic Pancreatic Tissue: A Case Report

A Meckel's diverticulum (MD) is an embryonic remnant of the omphalomesenteric duct. Although most MDs are usually asymptomatic, pediatric patients tend to present serious complications more frequently (4-25% of cases), mainly in digestive tract bleeding, intestinal obstruction, and perforation, which have a high potential to compromise the patient's life. An ectopic pancreas (EP) is pancreatic tissue found outside the pancreas, usually in the stomach, duodenum, and jejunum. It is typically asymptomatic but can increase the risk of complications in the MD. A clinical case of a female infant with an MD complicated with bleeding and ileo-ileal intussusception is presented, in which the histopathological finding of type 1 ectopic pancreatic tissue was also found based on the Heinrich classification, being an entity uncommon in our environment. An EP arising within an MD is infrequent, requiring clinical attention and timely preoperative diagnosis to prevent and treat associated severe complications. This continues to be a superior challenge for the clinician and requires a multidisciplinary team for comprehensive treatment.

Meckel's Diverticulum Causing Ileal Volvulus and Peritonitis after a Recent Appendectomy: A Case Report and Literature Review-We Should Likely Resect an Incidental MD

Meckel's diverticulum (MD) is the most common congenital anomaly of the gastrointestinal tract with a 1-3% prevalence in the general population. The surgical management of symptomatic MD is well described in the literature, but there is still no consensus on the indication for prophylactic resection of incidental asymptomatic MD. To address this issue, we extensively reviewed the current literature and report our experience with laparoscopic management of an unusual case of MD causing ileal volvulus and acute peritonitis two weeks after a laparoscopic appendectomy for acute gangrenous appendicitis performed in another hospital. A 50-year-old man presented to the emergency department with acute and severe abdominal pain, vomiting, and constipation. He had undergone a laparoscopic appendectomy for acute appendicitis two weeks before in another hospital. The patient was apyretic, distressed, and seeking an antalgic position. The abdomen was mildly distended and tender, and the Blumberg sign was mildly positive in the central quadrants. The clinical picture deteriorated with fever, peritonismus, and leukocytosis. A CT scan showed an ileo-ileal adhesion near the ileocolic junction and dilatation of the upstream loops with the air-fluid levels. Through an urgent laparoscopy, a necrotic mass, the MD, was wedge-resected, and the surrounding ileal volvulus derotated. The postoperative course was uneventful. There is no definitive consensus on the appropriate management of incidental asymptomatic MD, although several studies have attempted to identify guiding criteria. Features of the MD, the patient's risk factors, clinical presentation, and surgical approach need to be considered to establish definitive guidelines for the management of incidental asymptomatic MD. In the absence of definitive guidelines, personal expertise and judgement are the main resources for the surgeon approaching an incidental asymptomatic MD.

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.

Value of sonographic pseudogestational sac sign in the diagnosis of Meckel diverticulum in children presenting with bleeding per rectum: a 15-year prospective study

Background

Meckel diverticulum is the most common congenital abnormality of the gastrointestinal tract. Gastrointestinal bleeding is the most common complication of Meckel diverticulum in the paediatric population; the bleeding mostly occurs in the first 2 years of life. Because the diverticulum is seldom seen in clinical practice, misdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis are not uncommon. CT and nuclear studies are the most used diagnostic tools in clinical practice. However, radiation and sensitivity concerns remain an issue. Ultrasound has been suggested as an alternative diagnostic tool in diagnosing Meckel diverticulum with mixed results. The aim of our study is to assess the value of using a new sonographic sign, the pseudogestational sac sign in diagnosing Meckel diverticulum in children presenting with bleeding per rectum. Ultrasound was performed for all children. Results were correlated with nuclear studies, histopathology and clinical follow-up findings.

Results

Seventy-three children were included in our study. The pseudogestational sac sign was present in 46 (63%) and absent in 27 (37%) cases. Forty-five children were ultimately diagnosed as Meckel diverticulum. The age ranged from 2 months to 9 years with a mean of 2.3 years. The boy-to-girl ratio was 4.6:1 with 60% of children presenting during their first 2 years of life. The ultrasound performance using the pseudogestational sac sign revealed a sensitivity of 91.1%, specificity of 82.1%, positive predictive value of 89.1%, negative predictive value of 85.2%, positive likelihood ratio of 5.1, negative likelihood ratio of 0.11 and accuracy of 87.7%.

Conclusion

The sonographic pseudogestational sac sign is a reliable diagnostic tool for diagnosing Meckel diverticulum in children presenting with bleeding per rectum. The sonographic diagnosis of Meckel diverticulum complies with the international standards of “Image Gently”.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor in ruptured Meckel's diverticulum located in jejunum caused myelosuppression for a short time: A case report

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) in Meckel's diverticulum (MD) is rare but it seems to be a common phenomenon that GIST triggers MD perforation or rupture; the exact mechanism is unclear. In addition, the location of GIST in perforated or ruptrued MD is most common in ileum, rarely in jejunum. We herein report a GIST in ruptured MD Located in jejunum and severe peritoneal cavity infection leads to myelosuppression.

CASE PRESENTATION

A female patient was admitted to our hospital with "abdominal pain". Physical examination and laboratory tests revealed that the patient was in shock and myelosuppression. Abdominal X-ray photograph and computed tomography indicated perforation of digestive tract. Laparotomy revealed rupture of MD located 90 cm from the Treitz ligament and a tumor was also found in the MD. As the condition is critical, the MD was excisioned from its root and the small bowel gap was closed and repaired. Laboratory indicators showed that myelosuppression was removed 24 h after operation. The pathological findings established a GIST in the MD. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 5 without significant complications.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

A GIST in ruptured MD Located in jejunum caused the severe peritoneal cavity infection and myelosuppression In a short time, as seen in this case. Failure to recognize the severity of the disease and delay in treatment will endanger the life of the patient.

CONCLUSION

GIST in MD Located in jejunum is very rare, and the rupture of the MD can be life-threatening at any time.

Enterovesical Fistula From Meckel Diverticulum

Meckel diverticulum is a common congenital malformation of the gastrointestinal tract and can cause complications such as ulceration, hemorrhage, intussusception, and perforation. This report describes a very rare complication of an enterovesical fistula associated with chronic Meckel diverticulum. A 51-year-old male presented with over 10 years of persistent pyuria. Tests were performed to rule out malignancy, including serum prostate-specific antigen level, urine cytology, bacterial culture, cystoscopy, and bladder computed tomography. An enterovesical fistula was identified, and laparoscopic exploration was performed. The findings suggested enterovesical fistula formation caused by chronic inflammation at the tip of a Meckel diverticulum. Segmental resection of the small bowel including the diverticulum and primary repair of the urinary bladder along with partial cystectomy were performed. The postoperative clinical course was uneventful. An enterovesical fistula is a very rare complication resulting from chronic inflammation of a Meckel diverticulum.

Axial Torsion and Gangrene: An Unusual Complication of Meckel's Diverticulum

Meckel’s diverticulum (MD), a congenital abnormality of the gastrointestinal tract, is usually found in the pediatric population younger than two years of age; hence, its incidence in adults is rare. Although MD is mostly clinically silent, in adults, it may present with intestinal obstruction and diverticulitis. The complications of MD include hemorrhage, perforation, enterolith formation, torsion, Littre’s hernia, ulceration and neoplasm. Among these, torsion is one of the rarely reported complications of MD. MD being attached to the ileal mesentery or umbilicus, presence of mesodiverticular band, and the length, breadth and base diameter of the diverticulum contribute as a risk factor for torsion. A similar clinical picture of acute appendicitis must be excluded.

We report a case of a 25-year-old male who presented with signs of intestinal obstruction in whom intraoperative finding of a torted MD with necrotic and twisted base was found upon emergency exploratory laparotomy.

Small intestinal diverticulum with bleeding: Case report and literature review

RATIONALE

Small intestinal diverticulum with bleeding is an important reason for obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGB) , in addition to tumor and vascular diseases. Small intestinal diverticulum with bleeding is difficult to detect by barium meal and angiographic methods and has been regarded as an important cause of obscure gastrointestinal tract bleeding in adolescents. Because of its complicated etiology and non-specific clinical manifestations, it is relatively difficult to detect small intestinal diverticulum with bleeding, especially in patients with a large amount of bleeding and hemodynamic instability.

PATIENT CONCERNS

This retrospective study collects clinical statistics of 19 patients admitted to our hospital from January 2010 to December 2016. Patients who had small intestinal diverticulum patients with bleeding were included in this study. Patients who were taking anticoagulants were excluded DIAGNOSES:: Small intestinal diverticulum patients with bleeding.

INTERVENTIONS

This retrospective study describes the clinical features of patients with small intestinal diverticulum whose main symptom was gastrointestinal bleeding and analyze the literature on this topic, with particular reference to the clinical characteristics, pathological features, and choice of examination methods.

LESSONS

Small intestinal diverticulum with bleeding is a common cause of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding, but it is difficult to detect using normal examination methods. For patients with repeated gastrointestinal bleeding and no positive results found on gastroscopy and colonoscopy, endoscopy of the small intestine and CTE with contrast can be considered as a diagnostic modality.

Spontaneous perforation of Meckel diverticulum: A case report

RATIONALE

Meckel diverticulum (MD) is the most common congenital abnormality of the gastrointestinal tract. It is asymptomatic in the majority of patients. Perforation is a rare complication of MD and can be life-threatening.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 20-year-old male patient denying previous systemic disease and complaining of epigastric pain for 5 days came to our emergency department for help. Physical examination showed right lower quadrant tenderness without muscle guarding and rebounding pain.

DIAGNOSIS

Blood examination including white blood cell, C reactive protein, liver, and renal function all showed within normal range. Abdominal computed tomography showed suspect MD in the distal ileum and enteritis at the ileum.

INTERVENTION

Perforation of MD was found while in surgery, and Meckel diverticulectomy was performed.

OUTCOMES

The patient was discharged 7 days after the operation with stable condition.

LESSONS

Perforation is an uncommon complication of MD, and the symptom can mimic other acute abdominal conditions such as acute appendicitis while in the emergency space. We should take diagnosis under consideration as a differential diagnosis when we encounter patients whose impression was firstly acute appendicitis.

Reminiscing on Remnants: Imaging of Meckel Diverticulum and Its Complications in Adults

OBJECTIVE

Meckel diverticulum may become symptomatic if it is complicated by hemorrhage, intestinal obstruction, diverticulitis, or tumor. Although classically described in children, it is often missed in adults because of lack of suspicion and difficulty in detection. The purpose of this article is to review the imaging findings and management of Meckel diverticulum and its complications.

CONCLUSION

Although it is infrequently encountered incidentally, Meckel diverticulum should be considered especially when interpreting examinations for abdominal pain, small-bowel obstruction, and gastrointestinal bleeding.