Gastric heterotopia in the ileum mimicking Meckel's diverticulum

Abstract

Gastric heterotopia is the presence of normal gastric tissue elsewhere than the stomach. It has been reported in the alimentary tract from oropharynx to rectum. It is common in esophagus, duodenum, and in congenital anomalies such as Meckel's diverticulum (MD) and duplications, however it is rarely found in the small intestine beyond the ligament of Treitz without the accompanying anomalies. In this presentation, we report a 3-year-old female with chronic anemia and abnormal uptake in technetium99 pertechnetate scintigraphy in right lower quadrant of abdomen which lead to diagnosis of ectopic gastric tissue in ileum, outside of the MD. • Heterotopic gastric mucosa can be a probable cause for consumptive anemia in children. • Ectopic gastric tissue occurring in sites other than Meckel's diverticulum can mislead the diagnosis regarding the Technetium 99 m pertechnetate scintigraphy or Meckel's scan. • If ectopic gastric tissue is not found in Meckel’s diverticulum, a search in other parts of small intestine is recommended.