Life-threatening lower gastrointestinal bleeding in a 2-year-old boy treated by transcatheter embolization: uncommon features of a complicated Meckel diverticulum

Abstract

A 2.5-year-old boy presented with life-threatening lower gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. Radiological investigation, including US, CT and 99 m-Technetium (Tc) pertechnate scintigraphy, was negative. Emergency visceral angiography was performed, showing a left-side, non-branching artery, originating from a side branch of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) with extravasation of contrast material. At the same time, embolization of the bleeding point was performed, resulting in haemostasis. In the days following the procedure the boy developed an intestinal obstruction. At laparoscopy, a complicated Meckel diverticulum was resected.