Imaging of a giant Meckel's diverticulum in a young adult.

Abstract

A 23-year-old man had an episode of gastrointestinal bleeding and anemia. He had a long history of recurrent episodes of abdominal pain and anemia, but no gross bleeding. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and colonoscopy demonstrated normal findings. A small-bowel follow through and abdominal CT scan demonstrated the presence of a large diverticulum in the right lower quadrant. Planar and SPECT Tc-99m pertechnetate scintigraphy confirmed the presence of the Meckel's diverticulum containing an area of ectopic gastric mucosa. Surgery revealed a large Meckel's diverticulum in the right iliac fossa, as well as partial malrotation of the colon. Most patients with Meckel's diverticulum present in childhood, usually by age 2. The initial presentation of bleeding due to a large Meckel's diverticulum in a young adult is unusual.