An Unusual Appearance of Meckel's Diverticulum as a Site of Bleed on Gastrointestinal Bleeding Scan

Area of Science:

• Nuclear Medicine
• Gastroenterology
• Pediatric Surgery

Background:

• Lower gastrointestinal (GI) hemorrhage is a common clinical challenge requiring accurate localization for effective treatment.
• GI bleeding scans are crucial for identifying bleeding sources prior to interventional radiology, but interpretation pitfalls exist.

Observation:

• A rare case involved an 8-year-old boy with GI bleeding where endoscopy failed to identify the source.
• A Meckel's diverticulum was identified as a false-positive site on a nuclear medicine bleeding scan, mimicking a proximal jejunal bleed.

Findings:

• The study reinforces diagnostic criteria for nuclear bleeding scans to accurately identify lower GI hemorrhage sites.
• Misinterpretation of bleeding scans can lead to unnecessary procedures and increased healthcare costs.

Implications:

• A high index of suspicion is vital for nuclear medicine physicians to prevent misdiagnosis of lower GI hemorrhage.
• Accurate interpretation of GI bleeding scans, considering potential false positives like Meckel's diverticulum, improves patient outcomes and reduces healthcare expenditure.