Intestinal obstruction and ischemia by necrotic annular Meckel’s diverticulum: Case report and review of the literature

Highlights

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  Meckel’s diverticulum (MD) is the most common congenital malformation of the gastrointestinal tract.

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  Annular MD is an extremely rare cause of intestinal obstruction and ischemia in adults.

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  Preoperative diagnosis of MD is a challenge because of its rarity and the absence of specific radiological findings and symptoms.

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  Surgery represents the appropriate treatment of complicated MD.

Abstract

Introduction and importance

Meckel’s diverticulum (MD) is a vestigial remnant of the omphalomesenteric duct, representing the most common congenital malformation of the gastrointestinal tract. Diagnosis of MD is a challenge because of its rarity and frequent asymptomaticity. Radiological exams generally aren’t useful for its diagnosis. Intestinal obstruction represents the most common complication of MD in adults. Surgery is the appropriate treatment of complicated MD.

Case presentation

A 70-year-old Caucasian male was admitted to the Emergency Department with a two-day history of abdominal pain associated with inability to pass gas or stool, nausea and vomiting. Physical examination revealed abdominal distention and abdominal pain without Blumberg’s sign. Abdominal contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) showed small bowel obstruction caused by suspected MD. Laboratory tests reported high serum levels of glycemia, LDH, C-reactive protein and leukocytosis. After diagnosis of intestinal obstruction, the patient underwent exploratory laparotomy: a segmental resection of ischemic distal ileum bearing a necrotic MD was performed. The postoperative course of patient was uneventful.

Clinical discussion

MD is found in 2%–4% of the population in large autopsy and surgical series. MD is mostly asymptomatic and incidentally discovered if not complicated; a debate exist about management of asymptomatic MD. Surgery represents the definitive treatment of complicated MD.

Conclusion

MD is a true diverticulum rarely discovered in adults. Diagnosis of MD is difficult even with the help of radiological exams. Although surgical resection represents the correct treatment of symptomatic MD, nowadays there is no consensus on the optimal treatment of asymptomatic and incidentally discovered MD.