Highlights & Basics
- Meckel diverticulum is the commonest congenital abnormality of the small bowel.
- Many people with Meckel diverticulum remain asymptomatic for their entire lives.
- The majority of symptomatic patients present before the age of 2 years.
- Gastrointestinal bleeding is a common presenting symptom in children and adults. The most useful diagnostic tool in cases with bleeding is the technetium-99m pertechnetate scan (Meckel scan).
- Obstructive symptoms are another common presenting symptom and may be caused by several mechanisms, including intussusception.
Quick Reference
History & Exam
Key Factors
Other Factors
Diagnostics Tests
Treatment Options
Definition
Epidemiology
Etiology
Pathophysiology
Citations
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Gan T, Evers MB. Meckel diverticulum. In: Townsend CM Jr. Sabiston textbook of surgery. 21st ed. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2021:1240-300.
Sengupta N, Kastenberg DM, Bruining DH, et al. The role of imaging for GI bleeding: ACG and SAR consensus recommendations. Radiology. 2024 Mar;310(3):e232298.[Abstract][Full Text]
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