A rare case of complicated Meckel's diverticulum. Case report and images

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract, and account for 0.1%-1% of gastrointestinal malignancies. Meckel's diverticulum (MD) is the most prevalent congenital abnormality of the gastrointestinal tract (0.3%-4.0%).

Their clinical presentation is strongly related to the occurrence of complications or the development of a neoplasm. Tumors and perforation of MD are infrequent. The case presented here is to our knowledge the fourth published case of a small intestine GIST causing perforation of the Meckel's diverticulum.

Although there is no compelling evidence in the current literature to support prophylactic diverticulectomy for patients with MD, our and other similar cases could justify the use of simple laparoscopic tangential resection during elective operations for healthy patients.