Malignancy and Meckel's diverticulum: A systematic literature review and 14-year experience at a tertiary referral center

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.

Should an Incidental Meckel Diverticulum Be Resected? A Systematic Review

Background

Meckel Diverticulum [MD), a common congenital anomaly of the gastrointestinal tract, poses a dilemma when incidentally encountered during surgery. Despite historical descriptions and known complications of symptomatic MD, the decision to resect an incidental MD (IMD) lacks clear guidelines. This study aims to assess whether resecting IMDs is justified by synthesizing evidence from studies published between 2000 and 2023. Factors influencing this decision, such as demographic risks, surgical advancements and complications, are systematically examined.

Methods and Material

Following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, this review incorporates 42 eligible studies with data on outcomes of asymptomatic MD management. Studies, both favoring and opposing resection, were analyzed.

Results

Considering complications, malignancy potential, and operative safety, the risk-benefit analysis presents a nuanced picture. Some authors propose conditional resection based on specific criteria, emphasizing patient-specific factors. Of 2934 cases analyzed for short- and long-term complications, the morbidity rate was 5.69%. Of 571 cases where mortality data were available, all 5 fatalities were attributed to the primary disease rather than IMD resection.

Conclusion

The sporadic, unpredictable presentation of IMD and the variability of both the primary disease and the patient make formulation of definitive guidelines challenging. The non-uniformity of complications reporting underscores the need for standardized categorization. While the balance of evidence leans towards resection of IMDs, this study acknowledges the individualized nature of this decision. Increased safety in surgery and anesthesia, along with better understanding and management of complications favor a judicious preference for resection, while taking into account patient characteristics and the primary disease.

Extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma metastasis to a Meckel's diverticulum adenocarcinoma

Extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma is a rare soft tissue tumour with a high local and distant metastasis rate and limited response to chemotherapy. Meckel's diverticulum is the most frequent congenital anomaly, and it is associated with a considerable risk of malignant transformation. In this case report, we describe a 50-year-old female patient with a history of extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma of the lower limb and metastasis to the forearm who went to the emergency department with abdominal pain. The investigations revealed a caecal volvulus. A lesion in the middle third of the ileum was incidentally discovered and removed during surgery. Pathology examination revealed a Meckel's diverticulum adenocarcinoma, with metastasis of extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma. Resection was complete; however, the patient had diffuse metastatic pulmonary disease and died eight months later due to disease progression. This mechanism of tumour-to-tumour metastasis is described in other locations, but, regarding the Meckel's diverticulum, this is a unique situation, previously unreported in the literature.

Simultaneous resection of a neuroendocrine tumor in an incidental Meckel's diverticulum with transabdominal preperitoneal hernial repair: a case report

BACKGROUND

As laparoscopic surgery becomes more prevalent worldwide, Meckel's diverticula are increasingly being discovered incidentally during surgery. There is no consensus on whether to follow up or resect such diverticula, which are usually asymptomatic. In cases of transabdominal preperitoneal inguinal hernia repair, resection of such a diverticulum might add the risk of mesh infection. Thus, it is unclear whether simultaneous intestinal resection is advisable.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 64-year-old man diagnosed with a left indirect inguinal hernia underwent laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair, during which a 2-cm Meckel's diverticulum located contralateral to the mesentery of the ileum approximately 30 cm from Bauhin's valve was detected incidentally. Because of the potential risk of future complications such as hemorrhage, diverticulitis, or tumor development, wedge resection of the ileum was performed extracorporeally through an extended umbilical port site after completion of the hernia repair. Pathological examination revealed a neuroendocrine tumor (G1) in Meckel's diverticulum, which was successfully resected without any mesh infection or postoperative complications.

DISCUSSION

Our patient's clinical course raises two important issues. First, a Meckel's diverticulum detected incidentally during laparoscopic surgery should be resected promptly because malignant tumors within such diverticula have frequently been reported. Second, simultaneous resection with hernia repair using mesh seems to be as safe as other clean-contaminated surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Management of incidental Meckel's diverticula should be selected by appropriate assessment for the risk of malignancy and complications.

Mechanical ileus of the small bowel due to an inflamed Meckel's diverticulum with an enterolith - a case report with literature review

BACKGROUND

Meckel's diverticula result from incomplete obliteration and regression of the omphaloenteric duct and are the most common congenital intestinal malformations. Many Meckel's diverticula remain asymptomatic and are discovered as incidental findings. They present a diagnostic challenge.

METHODS

We report the case of a 35-year-old man who presented with an acute abdomen and ileus. Computed tomography of the abdomen showed a mechanical small bowel ileus. There was a calibre jump in the terminal ileum with a round endoluminal definable hyperdense structure of almost 2 cm in diameter.

RESULTS

An exploratory laparoscopy was performed revealing an inflamed Meckel's diverticulum with impacted enterolith as the cause of the intestinal obstruction.

CONCLUSION

In symptomatic Meckel's diverticula, haemorrhage and obstruction are the most common complications. The development of ileus due to a Meckel's diverticulum with an enterolith is considered extremely rare but should be taken into account.

An unusual form of incisional hernia: A case report of Littre's hernia

INTRODUCTION

Littre's hernia (LH) is a rare condition involving Meckel's diverticulum within a hernia sac, with an incidence of <0.1 % of all complicated hernias. To this day, only a few case reports have been published concerning this entity.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 48-year-old patient with a history of four midline C sections and an incarcerated incisional midline hernia was admitted to the emergency department for small bowel obstruction evolving for 12 h. Examination revealed an incarcerated midline incisional hernia. An abdominal CT scan was performed, showing a multi-orifice incisional hernia with a small bowel loop and a 3 cm abscess. The patient underwent an urgent midline laparotomy. During surgery, we found a small bowel loop with a perforated Meckel's diverticulum, located 50 cm from the ileocaecal valve, associated with a 3 cm abscess. Surgical drainage of the abscess, resection of 20 cm of small bowel, including the diverticulum, and an appendicectomy were performed. The incisional midline hernia was managed by herniorrhaphy. The post-operative course was uneventful.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

Surgeons need to keep in mind the possibility of discovering Meckel's diverticulum in a hernia sac in every incarcerated hernia. Complete history intake and careful physical examination are important to uncover signs prompting clinical suspicion. Littre's hernia is rare and difficult to diagnose, with no distinguishing clinical features or physical signs.

CONCLUSION

Managing LH involves treating the symptomatic Meckel's diverticulum with various resection methods and the hernia itself, with mesh application being a controversial topic. Prophylactic resection remains debatable among experts.

Meckel's diverticulectomy: a multi-centre 19-year retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Meckels diverticulum (MD) causes a number of acute surgical pathologies and can contain ectopic tissue with the surgical aim to resect all ectopic mucosa. This has traditionally implied a small bowel resection (BR); though contemporary literature has demonstrated Meckel's diverticulectomy to be safe. The aim of this study was to determine optimal resection strategy, and assess MD histopathological features and their relationship to outcomes.

METHODS

A 19-year retrospective review of patient medical records across seven hospitals was conducted with demographic, clinical and pathological data collected. Analysis was conducted using a student's t-test for continuous variables and chi-squared test for categorical variables. Univariate regression was performed to identify risk factors. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

One hundred and sixty patients underwent resection of MD, 70 (44%) had Meckel's diverticulectomy and 90 (56%) had BR. No significant difference in length (P = 0.486), width (P = 0.238), or ratio (P = 0.188) of diverticulectomy compared to BR, with fewer complications in diverticulectomy. In all, 24 (15.3%) MD were perforated, of whom 5 had gastric mucosa, 2 had mixed ectopic mucosa and 1 carcinoid tissue. There were no cases of ectopic mucosa in the resection margin requiring re-operation, or causing base perforation. MD specimen with greater length: width ratio was a risk factor for perforation OR 1.437 P = 0.042 but not for malignancy P = 0.813 or ectopic tissue P = 0.185.

CONCLUSION

Meckel's diverticulectomy is safe via laparoscopic or open approach compared with BR. Despite higher perforation rates in MD with greater length: width ratio, no malignancy or ectopic risk was identified, supporting diverticulectomy as a safe operative approach.

Imaging congenital anomalies of the ileum in adults:a pictorial review

The ileal loops are anatomical location for the majority of congenital anomalies affecting the gastrointestinal tract. These include Meckel's diverticulum, ileal duplication, dysgenesis, atresia, mucosal diaphragm, and malposition of the ileum. Symptomatic lesions that often present with abdominal pain, intestinal obstruction or bleeding are usually diagnosed and treated during infancy and childhood. However, many of these congenital conditions may remain clinically silent and detected incidentally in adults undergoing radiological evaluation for unrelated medical reasons. This article presents the spectrum of the congenital ileal anomalies and their distinct features on small bowel examination and CT of the abdomen.

Endoscopic characteristics of Meckel's diverticulum in adults: a retrospective case-series from two tertiary general hospitals in China

BACKGROUND

To analyze the diversity in endoscopic manifestations of Meckel's diverticulum (MD) in adults by using balloon-assisted enteroscopy (BAE) and supply more information on the application of BAE.

METHODS

A retrospective study was carried out on adult patients diagnosed with MD by BAE in two tertiary general hospitals in China, from May 2007 to September 2021. The patients were divided into a small bowel bleeding (SBB) group and a control group according to their main symptoms. Clinical charts and endoscopic images were reviewed, analyzed, and summarized.

RESULTS

Single diverticulum in the ileum and double-lumen sign were observed in all patients. The SBB group consisted of 51 patients, among which 35 cases of ulcerative lesions, 9 cases of erosive lesions, 9 cases of active bleeding/blood clots, and 4 cases of lumps inside the diverticulum were observed respectively. Majority of ulcerative lesions were inside the diverticulum (23/35). A circumferential stricture inside the diverticulum was discovered in 11 cases, and ulcerative lesions tended to occur at this structure (10/11). In the control group consisting of 15 patients, 1 case of erosive lesions at the orifice edge was observed. The percentage of patients with MD-associated ulcerative lesions was significantly higher in the SBB group than that in the control group (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The endoscopic manifestations of MD in adults are extraordinarily complex and connected with the patients' primary symptoms. The internal features of MD should be regarded as crucial observational objectives in adult patients.

Small bowel diverticulosis: imaging appearances, complications, and pitfalls

Diverticula of the small bowel can be categorised as true, with Meckel's being the only example, or false. False small bowel diverticula (SBD) are acquired through herniation of the internal layers of the bowel wall through the muscularis propria. Peri-ampullary duodenal diverticula are a well-recognised example; however, the importance of more distal SBD in the jejunum and ileum is underappreciated, and they are under-reported on cross-sectional imaging. SBD are a known cause of anaemia, malabsorption, and diarrhoea, and there are myriad complications of SBD and Meckel's diverticula, which range in severity from inflammation and perforation to haemorrhage, tumour formation, and obstruction. Before the advent of computed tomography (CT), SBD were readily diagnosed on fluoroscopic oral contrast studies; however, radiologists are less comfortable with their cross-sectional imaging appearances. This imaging review combines our experience of multiple proven cases, with illustrative diagrams and radiological images of SBD to provide distinct imaging characteristics, allowing for confident diagnosis of SBD and their numerous complications. We discuss the importance of SBD as a cause of benign, non-surgical pneumoperitoneum. We additionally provide important pitfalls to be aware of such as SBD masquerading as other abnormalities.

OUP accepted manuscript

Meckel’s diverticulum is a congenital anomaly leading to the formation of a true diverticulum in the distal small intestine. Though most are asymptomatic and discovered incidentally, Meckel’s diverticuli can give rise to a wide range of symptoms. Rarely, this can be a malignancy, most commonly a carcinoid tumor. Other cancers have also been reported, with adenocarcinomas being particularly rare. Here, we report the case of a 62-year-old man presenting to the emergency room with vague gastrointestinal symptoms. Subsequent workup revealed a 3 cm mass in the distal jejunum/proximal ileum, which was located within a previously undiagnosed Meckel’s diverticulum. The mass was sent to pathology, who confirmed an adenocarcinoma arising from a small bowel diverticulum. This case serves as an important reminder of the malignant potential of a Meckel’s diverticulum and adds to the ongoing discussion regarding whether prophylactic diverticulectomy should be recommended to patients with a known Meckel’s diverticulum.

Metachronous Krukenberg tumor from adenocarcinoma in a Meckel's diverticulum: a case report

Adenocarcinoma in a Meckel's diverticulum is rare and difficult to diagnose preoperatively. We report the first case of a metachronous Krukenberg tumor from adenocarcinoma in a Meckel's diverticulum. A 45-year-old woman was admitted for recurrent abdominal pain. Computed tomography scan showed a lesion with contrast enhancement, and a Meckel's diverticulum-associated tumor was suspected. Double-ballon enteroscopy revealed intestinal stenosis and biopsy showed adenocarcinoma. Operative findings showed a Meckel's diverticulum with tumor. Histopathological evaluation revealed well-differentiated adenocarcinoma, interrupted by ectopic gastric mucosa, diagnosed as adenocarcinoma in a Meckel's diverticulum. Two years postoperatively, a multi-cystic mass with contrast enhancement was observed in the pelvis on imaging evaluation and oophorectomy performed. Histological examination of the resected ovary showed proliferation of atypical glandular ducts, consistent with metastatic adenocarcinoma. This case demonstrates that adenocarcinoma in a Meckel's diverticulum may result in distant metastases and requires appropriate follow-up.

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.

Pancreatic Endocrine Heterotopia Involving Meckel's Diverticulum: A Potential Mimic of Neuroendocrine Tumor

Pancreatic heterotopia most commonly occurs in the upper gastrointestinal tract, but can occur in other sites, including Meckel's diverticulum. When multiple histologic elements of the pancreatic tissue (acini, ducts, and endocrine cells) are present, the diagnosis is typically straightforward. In this article, we report a rare case of pure endocrine pancreatic heterotopia involving a Meckel's diverticulum, a potential mimic of a well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumor. Several features were useful in making the distinction, including lack of desmoplasia and mass forming lesion, and immunohistochemical staining in a physiological pattern similar to that of islets of Langerhans. It is important for pathologists to be aware of this entity and its features to avoid misdiagnosis of a neuroendocrine tumor.

The Many Faces of Meckel's Diverticulum: Update on Management in Incidental and Symptomatic Patients

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Meckel's diverticulum may be detected incidentally or present with symptoms from infancy and to old age. The presentation may be acute, with several complications associated with the condition. We aim to review the many faces with which a Meckel's diverticulum may present, either symptomatically or as an incidental finding.

RECENT FINDINGS

Due to its rarity, recent studies mainly include small retrospective series or case reports. Emphasis in the recent literature is on clinical presentation, the pathology of symptomatic cases, management options and risks of neoplasia. Symptoms are mainly caused by obstruction, bleeding or diverticulitis. Cross-sectional imaging is unspecific, although capsule endoscopy is reported of use in case series. Meckel's diverticulum presents with clinical features that are age-specific. Complicated Meckel's diverticulum is treated by resection. Optimal treatment of incidental cases remains debated. Meckel's diverticulum usually stays asymptomatic, and decision-making for management should be based on patient-specific factors. Use of minimal invasive techniques mandates refinement of the optimal treatment.