Meckel's diverticulum

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Background

Schematic of Meckel's diverticulum.
  • Most common cause of significant lower gastrointestinal bleeding in children
  • Most common congenital abnormality of the small intestine
  • Caused by incomplete involution of vitelline duct (occurs by 7 weeks)
  • Blind-ending true diverticulum that contains all layers found in the ileum

Rule of 2's

  • 2% of population
  • 2 feet from ileocecal valve
  • 2 inches long
  • 2% become symptomatic
  • 2 years of age (45%)
  • 2 times more common in boys
  • 2 types of epithelium (gastric/pancreatic)

Clinical presentation

Differential Diagnosis

Undifferentiated lower gastrointestinal bleeding

Evaluation

Meckel's diverticulum in a surgical specimen.

Workup

  • Meckel's scan (test of choice), also known as technetium-99m pertechnetate scan

Diagnosis

Management

See Also

External Links

References