Radiologist's perspective for the Meckel's diverticulum and its complications

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Radiology
• Pediatric Surgery

Background:

• Meckel's diverticulum is the most common congenital anomaly of the gastrointestinal tract.
• Complications include gastrointestinal bleeding, intussusception, bowel obstruction, and diverticulitis, frequently leading to misdiagnosis.
• Imaging is vital for early diagnosis, characterization, and treatment decisions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the literature and current radiological practices for diagnosing and managing Meckel's diverticulum and its complications.
• To emphasize the imaging characteristics of various complications, their mimickers, and pathological correlations.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of Meckel's diverticulum diagnosis and management.
• Analysis of current radiological practices and imaging modalities.
• Emphasis on imaging features of complications and differential diagnoses.

Main Results:

• Meckel's diverticulum presents with diverse imaging findings across modalities.
• Accurate diagnosis relies on understanding anatomy, embryology, and clinical presentations.
• Imaging aids in differentiating complications from mimickers.

Conclusions:

• Comprehensive knowledge of Meckel's diverticulum and its complications is essential for abdominal imaging specialists.
• Radiological assessment is critical for timely and accurate diagnosis and management.
• Understanding imaging nuances improves patient outcomes by reducing misdiagnosis.