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Published on: February 9, 2011

Meckel's diverticulum manifested by a subcutaneous abscess

Oguzhan Karatepe1, Gokhan Adas, Merih Altiok

  • 1Department of General Surgery, Okmeydani Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul 34715, Turkey. drkaratepe@yahoo.com

World Journal of Gastroenterology
|December 23, 2009
PubMed

Insights

This case report details a rare complication of Meckel's diverticulum: an enterocutaneous fistula. The study highlights a patient diagnosed with a right lower quadrant abscess, ultimately identified as a Meckel's diverticulum fistula.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Surgical Case Reports

Background:

  • Meckel's diverticulum is a common congenital anomaly of the small intestine.
  • Complications of Meckel's diverticulum are well-documented, but subcutaneous perforation leading to fistula formation is exceptionally rare.

Observation:

  • A patient presented with a right lower quadrant abscess.
  • Preoperative diagnosis suggested an enterocutaneous fistula.
  • Intraoperative findings confirmed the fistula originated from a Meckel's diverticulum.

Findings:

  • The case report documents an extremely rare instance of enterocutaneous fistula secondary to Meckel's diverticulum.
  • Subcutaneous perforation of the diverticulum was the underlying cause.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the importance of considering Meckel's diverticulum in the differential diagnosis of unexplained abdominal abscesses and fistulas.
  • Highlights the rarity and diagnostic challenges associated with Meckel's diverticulum complications.

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