Small bowel obstruction in infants due to complicated Meckel’s diverticulum: A case series

Abstract

Objectives: Our purpose is to illustrate the radiological aspects of Meckel’s diverticulum as an etiology of small bowel obstruction in infants. Material: We report a group of 4 patients with Meckel’s diverticulum complicated with small bowel obstruction that underwent surgery. We reviewed patient records, clinical presentation, ultrasound and CT imaging and intraoperative findings. Results: All included patients presented symptoms of bowel obstruction, one patient presented acute abdomen symptoms. The median age of our group was 5 years, all patients were males. All patients underwent radiological explorations. Ultrasound showed small bowel dilatation in all cases, and CT scan confirmed small bowel obstruction with ischemic complications in one patient. All of the 4 patients had laparotomy with the finding of MD responsible of small bowel obstruction in all cases, with on case of perforated loop and latero-caecal abscess. The obstruction was secondary to fibrous adhesions in three cases and the omphalomesenteric duct in one cases. All the patients had normal evolution with no post-operative complications. Conclusion: Meckel’s diverticulum represents a rare embryological remnant. It is a differential diagnosis in pediatric bowel obstruction and remains an intraoperative surprise despite the very abvanced imaging studies.