An uncommon cause of abdominal pain in a child: Meckel diverticulum

• Published in: Journal of acute disease Vol. 6; no. 5; pp. 229 - 231
• Main Authors: Contini, Anna, Caldaro, Tamara, Di Abriola, Giovanni, Romeo, Erminia, Balassone, Valerio, Rea, Francesca, Torroni, Filippo, De Angelis, Paola, Faraci, Simona, Angelino, Giulia, Tambucci, Renato, Dall'Oglio, Luigi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Medknow Publications and Media Pvt. Ltd 01-09-2017; Digestive Surgery and Endoscopy Unit, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy; Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
• Subjects: Abdominal pain; Appendix; Diverticulum; Gastrointestinal diseases; Genetic disorders; Meckel; Pediatric research; Scintigraphy; Surgery; Meckel; Appendix; Scintigraphy
• ISSN: 2221-6189; 2221-6189
• DOI: 10.4103/2221-6189.219620

Meckel diverticulum, a common congenital anomaly of the small intestine, can be responsible of several complications due to the presence of ectopic gastric mucosa and represents a challenge for diagnosis. We present the case of a 11-year boy suffering from intestinal pain and bleeding in which radiological examinations unexpectedly raised the suspicion of Meckel diverticulum. The diagnosis was confirmed using 99mTc-pertechnetate scintigraphy. At surgery, a fistulous tract between Meckel diverticulum and an inflamed appendix was found. The authors discuss the role of medical nuclear imaging which, notwithstanding its limitations, is of fundamental importance to achieve a correct and timely diagnosis. This is of particular relevance in unusual cases, as the one presented, in which Meckel diverticulum is found concurrently with other intestinal abnormalities.