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Hemorrhagic Meckel's diverticulum in an older woman diagnosed by repeated angiographies

Jee Suk Lee1, Won Moon, Seun Ja Park

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Kosin University, College of Medicine, Busan, South Korea.

The Turkish Journal of Gastroenterology : the Official Journal of Turkish Society of Gastroenterology
|January 20, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Massive lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage in a 58-year-old woman was caused by Meckel's diverticulum, a rare condition in older adults. This case highlights the importance of considering Meckel's diverticulum in elderly patients with bleeding.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Surgical Oncology

Background:

  • Meckel's diverticulum, a congenital gastrointestinal anomaly, is a remnant of the vitelline duct.
  • While common in children, Meckel's diverticulum hemorrhage is exceptionally rare in adults over 50.
  • Previous reports of Meckel's diverticulum bleeding in adults have exclusively involved men.

Observation:

  • A 58-year-old woman presented with massive lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage.
  • Meckel's diverticulum was suspected and diagnosed through repeated emergency angiographies.
  • The patient underwent successful elective laparoscopic surgery for treatment.

Findings:

  • This case represents one of the few documented instances of Meckel's diverticulum hemorrhage in an adult over 50.
  • It is the first reported case of massive hemorrhage from Meckel's diverticulum in a woman of this age group.
  • The diagnosis in an elderly patient with lower gastrointestinal bleeding was challenging.

Implications:

  • Meckel's diverticulum should be considered in the differential diagnosis of lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage in elderly patients, regardless of sex.
  • Diagnostic strategies like angiography are crucial for identifying the source of bleeding in complex cases.
  • Laparoscopic surgery offers a minimally invasive treatment option for symptomatic Meckel's diverticulum in adults.

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