Perforation of Meckel's diverticulum with enteroliths.

Abstract

Perforation of Meckel's diverticulum with enteroliths is a rare complication. Here, we report a case of perforation of Meckel's diverticulum with enteroliths, which could be accurately diagnosed by the preoperative computed tomography (CT). A 46-year-old man with acute onset of severe abdominal pain, and a localized muscle guarding in the right hypochondrium, had a solitary stone detected in the right abdomen by the radiography. The abdominal CT revealed a saclike outpouching of the small intestine, containing air/fluid levels and an enterolith, with surrounding free air and mesenteric inflammatory change in the right paraumbilical area. He was diagnosed as the perforation of Meckel's diverticulum with enterolith, and the emergency operation was indicated. The perforated Meckel's diverticulum was identified approximately 90cm proximal to the ileocecal valve. The diverticulum was transected at the base, and removed. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful. This case strongly suggested the ability of CT enterography to accurately diagnose pathologies involving the small intestine, such as the perforation of Meckel's diverticulum, which open premises for its use in the diagnosis of acute abdomen preoperatively.