Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 20, 2026
Murine Distal Colostomy, A Novel Model of Diversion Colitis in C57BL/6 Mice
Published on: July 12, 2018
A case report: Cecal volvulus caused by Meckel's diverticulum
Abdulmalik Altaf1, Hager Aref1
1Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Introduction:
Meckel's diverticulum is the most common congenital anomaly of the small intestine. Common complications related to Meckel's diverticulum include hemorrhage, intestinal obstruction and inflammation. Acute large bowel obstruction is a rare complication of Meckel's diverticulum and in the presented case it is caused by volvulus.
Presentation Of Case:
We report a 39 year old female who presented with the diagnosis of a large bowel obstruction occurring as a result of cecal volvulus caused by adhesions of a perforated diverticulum.
Discussion:
The reported case presents one of the rare complications of MD, which is volvulus. The case described above presented with signs and symptoms suggestive of acute intestinal obstruction and radiological findings suggestive of cecal volvulus. The patient was taken to the operation room for exploration and we discovered the presence of a perforated MD. The main treatment of such case is to perform diverticulectomy in all symptomatic patients.
Conclusion:
MD is mostly identified intraoperatively. Knowledge of the pathophysiologies by which MD can cause complications such as volvulus is important in order to plan management.
Insights
Meckel's diverticulum, a common congenital anomaly, can rarely cause acute large bowel obstruction via volvulus. Surgical diverticulectomy is the primary treatment for symptomatic patients with this rare complication.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Surgical Pathology
- Congenital Anomalies
Background:
- Meckel's diverticulum is the most frequent congenital anomaly of the small intestine.
- Complications include hemorrhage, obstruction, and inflammation.
- Acute large bowel obstruction due to Meckel's diverticulum is rare.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a rare case of acute large bowel obstruction caused by cecal volvulus secondary to a perforated Meckel's diverticulum.
- To highlight the importance of understanding Meckel's diverticulum pathophysiology for managing complications.
Main Methods:
- Case report of a 39-year-old female presenting with symptoms of large bowel obstruction.
- Diagnostic workup included radiological findings suggestive of cecal volvulus.
- Surgical exploration revealed a perforated Meckel's diverticulum.
Main Results:
- The patient presented with signs and symptoms of acute intestinal obstruction.
- Radiological imaging indicated cecal volvulus.
- Intraoperative findings confirmed a perforated Meckel's diverticulum as the cause.
Conclusions:
- Volvulus is a rare complication of Meckel's diverticulum.
- Prompt surgical intervention, including diverticulectomy, is indicated for symptomatic patients.
- Intraoperative identification is common; understanding pathophysiology aids management.
