Involvement of Meckel diverticulum in Crohn disease associated with pancreatic heterotopia

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Surgical Pathology
• Digestive System Diseases

Background:

• Crohn disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease.
• Meckel diverticulum is a congenital anomaly of the small intestine.
• While CD and Meckel diverticulum association is known, direct CD involvement of the diverticulum is uncommon.

Observation:

• This study reports a rare case of Crohn disease directly involving a Meckel diverticulum.
• The small bowel adjacent to the diverticulum was histologically normal.
• The affected Meckel diverticulum contained heterotopic pancreatic tissue.

Findings:

• The case demonstrates Crohn disease confined to a Meckel diverticulum.
• The presence of pancreatic heterotopia within the diverticulum is a notable finding.
• This presentation differs from typical contiguous spread patterns of Crohn disease.

Implications:

• This case expands the understanding of Crohn disease manifestations.
• It highlights the possibility of primary Crohn disease within a Meckel diverticulum, independent of adjacent bowel involvement.
• The presence of heterotopic tissue warrants consideration in the differential diagnosis of Meckel diverticulum pathologies.