Learning objectives
The main purpose of this poster is to go over the spectrum of complications of Meckel diverticula and their imaging features through a series of cases from our hospital, showing plain X-ray, ultrasound and CT scan images obtained from different patients. Accompanying photos taken in their respective surgeries are also shown.
Background
Meckel diverticulum is the most common congenital anomaly of the gastrointestinal tract, secondary to the failure of regression of the onphalomesenteric duct. It is defined as a blind ending tubular structure originating from the antimesenteric end of the distal ileum. Contains all of the intestinal layers (mucosa, muscular layers and serosa), corresponding to a true diverticulum [1,3].
Location, frequency and complication rates of Meckel diverticula differ among different sources and publications. In an effort to sum up all of the information, the "rule of the...
Findings and procedure details
The main complications of the Meckel diverticulum are as follows:
Gastrointestinal bleeding: is the most common complication, accounting for around 30% of symptomatic Meckel diverticula. Usually occurs associated to the presence of ectopic gastric mucosa. It normally consists of a self-limited bright red rectal bleeding, though sometimes can be life threatening [2-6,8-10]. Imaging features include:
99mTc-gammagraphy: useful in the detection of ectopic gastric mucosa in a suspected Meckel diverticulum. It may show radiotracer uptaking focus in the lower abdominal region, most frequently in the right...
Conclusion
Meckel diverticular complications are infrequent but important abdominal symptomatic diseases in the pediatric population, which may present from mild symptomatic complaints (abdominal pain, constipation, scarce rectal bleeding) to life-threatening situations (intestinal intususception, perforation or hemorrhagic shock).
Knowledge of the different imaging features, imaging techniques and potential differential diagnosis of complicated Meckel diverticula is essential for radiologists working in an emergency setting, particularly in pediatric patients.
Personal information and conflict of interest
A. Lopez Maseda:
Nothing to disclose
I. Moreno Ochoa:
Nothing to disclose
A. Garmendia Zabaleta:
Nothing to disclose
E. García Serrano Fuertes:
Nothing to disclose
C. Galvez Estevez:
Nothing to disclose
A. Gozalo García:
Nothing to disclose
S. Larburu Zavala:
Nothing to disclose
J. M. Pérez Roldán:
Nothing to disclose
I. Arteche Arnaiz:
Nothing to disclose
References
Sagar, J., Kumar, V., & Shah, D. K. (2006). Meckel diverticulum: a systematic review. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, 99;(10):501–5.
Kotha VK, Khandelwal A, Saboo SS, et al. Radiologist's perspective for the Meckel's diverticulum and its complications. Br J Radiol;87:20130743.
Levy AD, Hobbs CM. From the archives of the AFIP. Meckel diverticulum: radiologic features with pathologic Correlation. Radiographics. 2004;24(2):565-87.
Weerakkody, Y., Sharma, R. Meckel diverticulum. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org. (accessed on 10 Jan 2022) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-17174
Zaheer A, Federle MP. Meckel diverticulum. Reference article, app.statdx.com....