Meckel's Masquerade: Penetrating the Disguise.

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Gastroenterology
• Surgical Pediatrics
• Emergency Medicine

Background:

• Abdominal pain is a common pediatric emergency department complaint.
• Appendicitis, intussusception, and bowel obstruction are frequent concerns.
• Meckel's diverticulum is an uncommon cause of acute abdomen, often presenting atypically.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight Meckel's diverticulum as a cause of acute abdomen in children.
• To increase physician awareness of this condition beyond its typical presentation.
• To report on pediatric cases with unusual presentations of Meckel's diverticulum.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective case review of pediatric patients presenting with abdominal pain.
• Analysis of clinical presentation, diagnostic workup, and management.
• Focus on cases where Meckel's diverticulum was the underlying cause.

Main Results:

• Four pediatric patients presented with abdominal pain due to Meckel's diverticulum complications over six months.
• None of the patients exhibited painless rectal bleeding, a classic sign.
• Presentations mimicked appendicitis, abdominal masses, intussusception, and constipation.

Conclusions:

• Meckel's diverticulum should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute abdomen in children.
• The condition can present with varied symptoms, challenging diagnosis.
• Raising awareness of atypical presentations is vital for pediatric emergency care.