MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Meckel's diverticulum

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Meckel's diverticulum

Contents of this page:
Illustrations Definition Causes, incidence, and risk factors Symptoms Signs and tests	Treatment Expectations (prognosis) Complications Calling your health care provider

Illustrations

Meckel's diverticulectomy - series

Digestive system

Digestive system organs

Definition Return to top

A Meckel's diverticulum is a common congenital (present from before birth) formation that consists of a small pouch called a diverticulum, located off the wall of the small bowel. The diverticulum may contain stomach or pancreatic tissue.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top

A Meckel's diverticulum is a remnant of structures within the fetal digestive tract that were not fully reabsorbed before birth. Approximately 2% of the population has a Meckel's diverticulum, but only a few develop symptoms.

Symptoms include diverticulitis or bleeding in the intestine (see GI bleeding). Symptoms often occur during the first few years of life but can occur in adults as well.

Symptoms Return to top

Passing of blood in the stool
Abdominal discomfort or pain ranging from mild to severe

Signs and tests Return to top

Visible blood in stool
Occult (not visible) blood in the stool on multiple occasions when tested
Iron deficiency anemia

Tests:

Stool smear for occult blood (stool guaiac)
Hematocrit
Hemoglobin
Technetium scan to demonstrate diverticulum

Treatment Return to top

Surgery to remove of the diverticulum is recommended if bleeding develops. In rare cases, the segment of small intestine which contains the diverticulum is surgically removed, and the ends of intestine sewn back together. Iron replacement may be needed to correct anemia. If bleeding is significant, blood transfusion may be necessary.

Expectations (prognosis) Return to top

Full recovery can be expected with surgery.

Complications Return to top

Hemorrhage
Perforation of the bowel at the diverticulum
Peritonitis
Intussusception with resultant obstruction

Calling your health care provider Return to top

See your health care provider promptly if your child passes blood or bloody stool or complains repeatedly of abdominal discomfort.

Update Date: 12/27/2002

Updated by: Hebe Molmenti, M.D., Ph.D., Private Practice specializing in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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