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Published on: February 11, 2021
Perforation of a mesenteric Meckel's diverticulum
Melissa M Levack1, Amy G Fiedler1, Haytham Kaafarani1
1Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
Abstract:
Meckel's diverticulum is a remnant of the embryologic omphalomeseteric duct and is a common congenital anomaly found in ~2% of the population. The clinical significance of this anomaly is that the persistent diverticulum can lead to intestinal obstruction or diverticulitis and may contain ectopic tissue which can lead to bleeding, ulceration or perforation. The classic location of a Meckel's diverticulum has been described ~40 cm from the ileocecal valve on the antimesenteric side of the distal ileum. There have only been a few documented cases of a Meckel's diverticulum found on the mesenteric border of the ileum. In this report, we describe a patient who presented with a perforated Meckel's diverticulum which was found on the mesenteric border and performed a review to determine the significance of this finding.
Insights
Meckel's diverticulum, a congenital anomaly, can cause serious complications. This report details a rare case of a perforated Meckel's diverticulum found on the mesenteric border, prompting a review of its clinical significance.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Embryology
- Surgical Pathology
Background:
- Meckel's diverticulum is a common congenital anomaly, a remnant of the omphalomesenteric duct, affecting approximately 2% of the population.
- It can lead to significant complications, including intestinal obstruction, diverticulitis, bleeding, ulceration, and perforation due to ectopic tissue.
- The typical location is ~40 cm from the ileocecal valve on the antimesenteric side of the ileum.
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