| Meckel's diverticulum | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Meckel diverticulum |
 | |
| Schematic drawing of a Meckel's diverticulum with a part of the small intestine. | |
| Specialty | Pediatrics, general surgery |
| Symptoms | None, rectal bleeding, volvulus, intussusception, inflammation, tumors, intestinal perforation[1][2] |
| Usual onset | Present at birth[1] |
| Causes | Unclear[1] |
| Diagnostic method | CT scan, radionuclide scan[3] |
| Differential diagnosis | Swallowed maternal blood, milk protein allergy, intussusception, anal fissure, appendicitis[3][2] |
| Treatment | Watchful waiting, surgery[3] |
| Frequency | ~2%[4] |
Meckel's diverticulum is a small bulge in the small intestine, which is present at birth.[1] Most people never develop symptoms.[4] In those that do, rectal bleeding without pain is most common.[3] The blood is typically "current jelly" colored in children and black in adults.[3] Other presentations may include volvulus, intussusception, inflammation, tumors, or intestinal perforation.[1][2] In those who developed symptoms, this often occurs in the first few years of life.[3]
The cause is unclear.[1] It may be associated with other birth defects.[3] It is a true diverticulum, being a remnant of the omphalomesenteric duct (vitelline duct).[2] It occurs in the part of the small intestine known as the ileum.[3] It may contain gastric or pancreatic tissue.[2] Diagnosis may be by CT scan or radionuclide scan.[3]
In those without symptoms, management is unclear.[3] In those who develop symptoms, surgical removal is the treatment.[3] This may be done by an open or laparoscopic technique.[3] Those who have lost a significant amounts of blood may require a blood transfusion.[3]
Meckel's diverticulum is present in about 2% of people, making it the most common malformation of the gastrointestinal tract.[4] Males are more commonly affected than females.[3] It was first mentioned in 1699 by Lavater and later in 1809 by Johann Friedrich Meckel, after who it is named.[5][6]
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f "Meckel's diverticulum". GOSH Hospital site. Archived from the original on 27 February 2021. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
- ^ a b c d e "Meckel Diverticulum - Gastrointestinal Disorders". Merck Manuals Professional Edition. Archived from the original on 22 March 2022. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n An, J; Zabbo, CP (January 2022). "Meckel Diverticulum". PMID 29763135.
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help) - ^ a b c Elsayes KM, Menias CO, Harvin HJ, Francis IR (July 2007). "Imaging manifestations of Meckel's diverticulum". AJR Am J Roentgenol. 189 (1): 81–8. doi:10.2214/AJR.06.1257. PMID 17579156.
- ^ "Meckel's diverticulum". www.whonamedit.com. Archived from the original on 3 February 2022. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
- ^ Meckel, JF (1809). "Über die Divertikel am Darmkanal". Archiv für die Physiologie. 9: 421-453.