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Meckel's diverticulum: A challenging diagnosis

Kathryn Kaihlanen1, Claudia Phen2, Anita Sengupta3

  • 1Department of Pediatrics University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Dallas Texas USA.

JPGN Reports
|November 29, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric Meckel's diverticulum presents challenges due to atypical symptoms and diagnostic delays. Surgical intervention is often necessary for diagnosis, even with initial negative evaluations.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Surgery
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Meckel's diverticulum is a congenital anomaly of the small intestine.
  • Atypical presentations can complicate diagnosis in pediatric patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the clinical features, diagnostic challenges, and outcomes of pediatric Meckel's diverticulum with unusual presentations.
  • To identify barriers to timely diagnosis in this patient subset.

Main Methods:

  • A single-center, cross-sectional study was conducted.
  • Eleven pediatric patients (aged 0-17) with confirmed Meckel's diverticulum and atypical/challenging presentations were analyzed.
  • Data collected included demographics, symptoms, diagnostic workup, time to diagnosis, management, and outcomes.

Main Results:

  • The study included 11 patients (73% male) with a mean age of 10.5 years.
  • The average time from symptom onset to diagnosis was 8 months.
  • Diagnostic barriers included atypical symptoms, non-conclusive Meckel scans, and competing diagnoses.

Conclusions:

  • Meckel's diverticulum diagnosis can be difficult, especially with atypical presentations.
  • Consideration of Meckel's diverticulum is crucial even with initial negative workups, as surgery may be required for definitive diagnosis.
Abstract

Keywords:
Meckel's scanatypical presentationsurgery

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