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

Small Bowel Obstruction Due to Axial Torsion of Meckel's Diverticulum: A Case Report and Literature Review

Meckel's diverticulum (MD) is a commonly encountered congenital gastrointestinal abnormality. Although the frequency of MD-related complications such as inflammation or bleeding is relatively high, small bowel obstruction induced by axial torsion of the MD is rare. Therefore, we herein report such a case along with a review of the literature. A 34-year-old female with right lower quadrant pain, nausea, and vomiting was admitted to our hospital with the diagnosis of adhesive small bowel obstruction due to a cesarean section performed five years previously. A long intestinal tube was placed, and the patient's clinical symptoms and X-ray findings showed relief of the small bowel obstruction. However, she developed severe right lower quadrant pain after contrast examination through the long intestinal tube despite the fact that the contrast agent had smoothly reached the terminal ileum. Blood tests and enhanced computed tomography (CT) showed a remarkable elevation of inflammatory markers, the appearance of ascites, and closed-loop-like and abscess-like appearances near the site of the caliber change. With a diagnosis of internal hernia, the patient underwent emergency laparotomy by means of a midline incision. Purulent ascites was observed within the abdominal cavity. Small bowel obstruction caused by a single band was observed in the right lower quadrant. Further exploration revealed an inflammatory MD with neck torsion and a mesodiverticular band (MDB). Simple mesodiverticular band resection by electrocautery and diverticulectomy by linear stapler were performed. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on postoperative day 7. In the case of juvenile-onset small bowel obstruction, axial torsion of the MD should be considered as a differential diagnosis. Herein, we report such a difficult diagnostic case and the first English literature review of small bowel obstruction due to axial torsion of the MD.

Small bowel segment with Meckel's diverticulum volvulus related to short mesodiverticular band: a case report

BACKGROUND

Meckel's diverticulum is a remnant of the omphalomesenteric duct and occurs in only about 2% of people. Mesodiverticular band is the congenital remnant of the vitelline artery and is an even less often occurring phenomenon.

PRESENTED CASE

We present the case of a 56-year-old Caucasian male who was admitted to the emergency department with a very intense, sudden abdominal pain, without past abdominal surgery history. Contrast enhanced computed tomography showed a possibly ischemic closed loop of the small intestine. Urgent laparotomy was performed, during which bloody content in the peritoneal cavity and torsed loop of the small intestine with Meckel's diverticulum were found. The bowel loop and Meckel's diverticulum were ischemic. At the tip of Meckel's diverticulum there was a broken fibrous band extending to mesentery with pulsating artery. We did segmental resection of small intestine including Meckel's diverticulum and primary end-to-end anastomosis. The patient had an unremarkable postoperative hospital stay and was discharged home after 5 days.

CONCLUSION

In our case, we describe a patient with the volvulus of a segment of small bowel and Meckel's diverticulum, which eventually led to small bowel obstruction and ischemia. It was a very rare case that required urgent surgical treatment.

Meckel's Diverticulum Strangulation

Meckel's diverticulum is the most common congenital anomaly of the small intestine. It is a true diverticulum containing all layers of the intestinal wall and results from the incomplete resolution of the omphalomesenteric duct. The majority of the cases are asymptomatic; however, diagnostic challenges arise when it becomes inflamed, causes gastrointestinal hemorrhage, intestinal obstruction, or when it protrudes through a potential abdominal opening (Littre's hernia). We present a rare case of strangulated Meckel's diverticulum as a result of axial torsion presenting with right lower quadrant abdominal pain.