Perforated Meckel’s Diverticulum with Pancreatic and Gastric Heterotropia and Acute Peritonitis - A Case Report

Meckel’s diverticulum, the most common congenital anomaly of small bowel although usually silent, can cause complications like intestinal obstruction, bleeding, diverticulitis, perforation etc. We report a case, which presented with acute onset of severe pain in right iliac fossa which was clinically and sonographically diagnosed as acute appendicitis. Histopathological report of appendix was non specific findings. Four days after appendectomy patient again came with features of acute abdomen. X-ray abdomen showed free gas under diaphragm. Abdomen was explored with a midline incision, a perforated Meckel’sdiverticulum was found which was managed by wedge resection and repair of the ileum. Histopathological examination of specimen revealed diverticular wall with normal appearing intestinal mucosa and muscle coat which showed two heterotrophic tissues (pancreatic and gastric ) in the wall.These also showed features of perforation and acute peritonitis. This is probably the first case of Meckel’s diverticulitis with heterotropic pancreatic and gastric tissue in Bangladesh. J Shaheed Suhrawardy Med Coll 2020; 12(2): 115-118

Meckel’s diverticulum and its plethoric presentation in paediatric surgery: a case series

Meckel’s diverticulum (MD) is a congenital abnormality of the gastrointestinal tract resulting from incomplete obliteration of the vitellointestinal duct by 5th to 7th week of gestation. Incidence is 2% in the general population with a 2:1 male to female ratio. The various presentations of MD include gastrointestinal bleeding, intestinal obstruction, diverticulitis and intestinal perforation. Majority of the MD is asymptomatic however the potential risk of developing complication it's about 4-6%. Preoperative diagnosis of MD is challenging. We present 6 cases of MD managed at our centre over the course of 1 year. Two cases presented as intestinal obstruction secondary to mesodiverticular band from MD, one case with bleeding, two cases with intussusception and one case of meckel’s diverticulitis.

Intestinal malrotation and Meckel’s diverticulitis in a 19-month-old boy

Acute intestinal obstruction is a common paediatric surgical emergency and should be considered in any child presenting with vomiting, abdominal pain and abdominal distension. Many causes of bowel obstruction arise from congenital anomalies and recognition of the underlying cause of obstruction can be challenging in these settings. These cases can be further complicated if two or more congenital anomalies are present. Malrotation of the gut is defined as a congenital developmental anomaly of the rotation of the intestine and encompasses a spectrum of abnormalities. Meckel’s diverticulum is another congenital anomaly which occurs secondary to the failure of the vitellointestinal duct to close and can present in 2% of the population. We describe an interesting case of a 19 month old-boy who presented acutely with symptoms of bowel obstruction and was found to have both intestinal malrotation and Meckel’s diverticulum.

Concurrent intestinal malrotation and Meckel's diverticulum presenting as acute intestinal obstruction in an adult

Intestinal malrotation is the partial or complete failure of rotation of midgut around the superior mesenteric artery, while Meckel’s diverticulum is the remnant of vitellointestinal duct and concurrence of these congenital abnormalities in an adult is considered a rarity. Till date only 3 cases of concurrent intestinal malrotation and Meckel's diverticulum have been reported. We report a 18 years male who presented with a 3 day history of abdominal pain, bilious vomiting, obstipation and chronic abdominal pain on and off since 3 years of age. During the last episode which occurred 1 year back, he was diagnosed with intestinal malrotation with subacute intestinal obstruction and was treated conservatively. Examination revealed the presence of signs of peritonitis. After resuscitation, CECT abdomen was taken which showed dilated small bowel loops in the subhepatic region associated with malrotation. Emergency laparotomy revealed a Ladd's band below which the gangrenous small bowel loops 150 cm from the duodenojejunal (flexure until 5 cm proximal to the ileocecal junction) were found herniating into the subhepatic region with a Meckel’s diverticulum and a right sided DJ flexure. We proceeded with the band release and resection of gangrenous bowel followed by proximal jejunostomy with distal ileostomy. HPE was consistent with Meckel’s diverticulitis without any ectopic gastric or pancreatic mucosa. Ostomy reversal was done after 8 weeks. Patient had an uneventful postoperative recovery during both the admissions and he is on regular follow-up now.

Perforated Meckel’s Diverticulitis in a Patient with Unknown Intestinal Malrotation: Clinical Pitfall

Symptomatic Meckel’s diverticulum is rare in adults. The most frequent complications are intestinal obstruction and diverticulitis. Diagnosis of Meckel’s diverticulitis can be challenging due to nonspecific clinical manifestation of pain in the right lower abdominal quadrant, mimicking acute appendicitis. If associated with congenital malformation, such as intestinal malrotation, the anomalous anatomy makes the diagnosis even more challenging. In such cases, radiological imaging is essential to guide further management. We present a case of Meckel’s diverticulitis in which physicians were initially misguided because of the atypical clinical presentation. Yet, anamnestic details directed to a potential underlying malformation, leading to supplementary radiological examination and the final diagnosis.

Small Bowel Obstruction due to Meckel's Diverticulitis Presenting in pregnancy

Meckel’s diverticulitis is an extremely rare cause of acute abdomen during pregnancy. Depending on the clinical presentation it can be managed either by laparoscopy or laparotomy. We report the case of a 29-year-old pregnant female, presenting with abdominal pain and distension in the early second trimester. The abdominal ultrasound was inconclusive. Magnetic resonance imaging showed small bowel obstruction with a dilated ileal loop due to an inflamed Meckel’s diverticulum adherent to the fundus of the gravid uterus was identified during laparotomy. Diverticular resection was carried out with a stapling device. The diagnosis of Meckel’s diverticulitis can be challenging, especially in pregnancy, and a delay in diagnosis can be detrimental to the mother and foetus. Although laparoscopic management has been reported to be safe in the second trimester, in this case, the abdominal distension would have made access challenging and unsafe, and hence the decision to perform a laparotomy was taken.