The diagnosis of Meckel's diverticulum: a continuing challenge

During a 10 year period 49 patients were operated upon in Oxford for Meckel's diverticulum. Radiological imaging of the small intestine with radionuclide scintigraphy, small bowel barium enema or angiography was performed in 11 patients. Radionuclide scintigraphy was positive in one out of six patients investigated. The small bowel barium enema detected an abnormality in seven out of eight patients examined and identified the diverticulum in six. Angiography was performed in three patients and active bleeding was demonstrated in two. Our experience would indicate that the small bowel enema is the method of choice for the investigation of suspected Meckel's diverticulum. Patients with acute bleeding should, however, be investigated with angiography.