Unusual Presentation of a Meckel's Diverticulum: A Case Report

Abstract

Meckel’s diverticulum (MD) is the most common congenital malformation of gastrointestinal tract. It can cause a variety of complications, such as an ulceration, hemorrhage, intussusception, perforation. These complications, bleeding in particular, are more common in children than in adults. Although MD is the most prevalent congenital anomaly of gastrointestinal tract, it is often difficult to diagnose. In fact, it may remain completely asymptotic, or it may mimic other disease such as acute appendicitis, crohn’s disease and peptic ulcer disease. Several risk factors for developing symptomatic MD have been identified, such as male gender, age younger than 50years, length of diverticulum of 2CM or more, or those that contain heteropic tissue. When two or three of these factors were met, the percentage of symptomatic MD increases to 25,42, and 70% respectively. Cases of giant MD(>5CM) are relatively rare and associated with multiple severe complications. Axial torsion and gangrene of MD is an extremely rare complication. We present a case of giant necrotic MD with perforation at its base, associated with mildly inflamed appendix.