33. Meckel's Diverticulum

Diagnosis

o Meckel scan: looks for ectopic gastric tissue in the ileal area o Mesenteric arteriography or abdominal exploration

Management

o Surgical excision if symptomatic

Clinical manifestations

o Usually asymptomatic—often an incidental finding during abdominal surgery for other causes o Painless rectal bleeding or ulceration. If present, pain is usually periumbilical o May cause intussusception, volvulus, or obstruction. May cause diverticulitis in adults.

Pathophysiology

Ectopic gastric or pancreatic tissue may secrete digestive hormones, leading to bleeding

Meckel's Diverticulum is the most common?

Most common congenital anomaly of the GI tract

What is Meckel's Diverticulum?

Persistent portion of embryonic vitelline duct (yolk stalk, omphalomesenteric duct) in the small intestine

Meckel's Diverticulum Rule of 2s

Rule of 2s: 2% of population; within 2 feel from ileocecal valve, 2% symptomatic, 2 inches in length, 2 types of ectopic tissue (gastric most common or pancreatic), 2 years most common age at clinical presentation, 2 times more common in males