Intussusception of Meckel's Diverticulum: A Case Report

Meckel's diverticulum (MD) is a common congenital anomaly of the gastrointestinal tract, present in approximately 2% of the population. While typically asymptomatic, MD can lead to complications such as obstruction and intussusception. Here, we present a case report of a man presenting with abdominal pain with an incidental finding of MD complicated by intussusception and our management approach. A 39-year-old man with a history of ulcerative colitis (UC) presented with sudden severe right iliac fossa pain, vomiting, and a background of intermittent dull abdominal pain over three months. Examination revealed a tender abdominal mass in the right iliac fossa. Despite his UC history, imaging revealed ileo-ileal intussusception with an inverted MD serving as the lead point, a rare finding in adults. The patient underwent emergency surgery, including resection of the intussuscepted bowel segment and side-to-side anastomosis. Histopathology confirmed ulceration and granulation tissue within the MD. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful, and he was discharged with follow-up care. This case underscores the diagnostic challenge posed by intussusception in adults, especially when overlapping symptoms suggest more common conditions like a UC flare-up. It highlights the importance of considering less frequent diagnoses, such as MD-induced intussusception, in acute abdominal presentations, and reinforces the utility of CT imaging in identifying atypical causes of bowel obstruction. The case also emphasises the need for surgical intervention in symptomatic MD cases to prevent complications.