Importance of single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography in detection of meckel's diverticulum in a 19-year-old female patient

Abstract

Planar scintigraphy using technetium-99m pertechnetate is widely used in the diagnosis of Meckel's diverticulum. Single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) fusion imaging may help to localize the Meckel's diverticulum lesion. We present a case of a 19-yearold lady with recurrent lower gastrointestinal tract bleeding. She underwent Tc-99m pertechnetate scintigraphy. The planar images showed two foci of increased uptake located in the lower abdomen and at the level of the right kidney. The one located at the right kidney level could be physiological uptake or by an ectopic gastric mucosa. Using SPECT/CT technique, we confirmed that the lower part of the concentration was from a Meckel's diverticulum from the small intestine based on the functional and anatomical information together; however, the upper uptake was physiological right proximal ureteric uptake. Our case study suggests that SPECT/CT imaging needs to be considered to obtain a definitive diagnosis, mainly with cases with ambiguous planar scintigraphy images.