[Value of barium transit of the small intestine in research on Meckel's diverticulum]

Twelve children were diagnosed as having a bleeding Meckel diverticulum upon laparotomy. Before surgery, barium small bowel examination was performed according to the Bret technique (J Radiol Paris [1980] 61, 753-758) in 8 cases; the Meckel diverticulum being apparent in all 8 cases. By contrast, a classical technique of barium small bowel examination used in 4 cases, and 99m TC pertechnate scan performed in 7 cases, yielded only negative results. We conclude that barium small bowel examination, when performed according to the Bret's technique, is a very effective method for the diagnosis of Meckel diverticulum.