Meckel’s diverticulum is a congenital condition characterized by the presence of a small sac attached to the intestinal wall, at the junction where the small and large intestines meet. The pouch is usually located near the ileocecal valve and contains stomach and/or pancreatic tissue. The gastric tissue secretes hydrochloric acid that causes ulcers in the ileum. Thus it can become inflamed and obstruct the intestines and also cause bleeding occasionally.
Diagnosis
Meckel’s diverticulum is very difficult to diagnose because most of its symptoms including abdominal cramps, pain, and vomiting can occur due to several other conditions. Hence there are also chances of misdiagnosis of the condition. In some people, a diagnosis of Meckel’s diverticulum is made during surgery for presumed appendicitis. When a normal appendix is confirmed, Meckel’s diverticulum is suspected.
If your doctor feels that your child's symptoms can be related to Meckel's diverticulum, they will gather the child’s full medical history and study it thoroughly. A physical exam will follow, after which the doctor might order imaging tests in order to visualize the intestines. Some other tests used in the diagnosis of Meckel’s diverticulum include a blood test to look for infection or anemia and a stool test to detect traces of blood in stools. Tests are ordered on the basis of symptoms the child presents with.
Barium Enema
This test is performed to look for abnormalities in the large intestine. Barium is a chalky, metallic, liquid that coats the internal portion of organs to allow their visualization on X-ray. A fluid containing barium is introduced as enema into the rectum before an X-ray of the abdomen is taken. It clearly shows blocks or narrow areas in the intestine, if any. This procedure is usually recommended in the case of patients who have signs of blockage and vomiting.
Meckel's scan or Technetium Scan
In this scan, a radioactive substance known as technetium is introduced into the child's blood stream via an IV line. The substance is then absorbed by stomach tissues and can then be visualized on X-ray in parts of the body that contain stomach tissue like the Meckel's diverticulum. This test is mainly done to detect the source of bleeding.
Colonoscopy or Rectosigmoidoscopy
In this procedure, a tiny, flexible tube with a camera at one end is inserted into the sigmoid colon and rectum of the child. (The sigmoid colon is the end of the large intestine.) With the help of the camera, the interior of the intestine and rectum are checked for blocks, bleeding, or other issues.
Wireless Capsule Endoscopy
Here, the child swallows a tiny camera at the end of tube. It can detect the cause of bleeding in the intestine. If a child is too small to swallow the camera, it can be kept in the child’s stomach while the child is sleeping.
CT Scan
Patients who present with pain in the abdomen and focal tenderness are usually prescribed a CT scan with oral contrast.
References
Further Reading