gastrointestinal disorders
Meckel Diverticulum
Introduction
Meckel diverticulum is a true diverticulum and is the most common congenital anomaly of the gastrointestinal tract, occurring in about 2% of people. It is caused by incomplete obliteration of the vitelline duct and consists of a congenital sacculation of the antimesenteric border of the ileum. It is usually located within 100 cm of the ileocecal valve and often contains heterotopic gastric tissue, pancreatic tissue, or both. Symptoms are uncommon but include bleeding, bowel obstruction, and inflammation ( Colonic Diverticulitis ). Diagnosis is difficult and often involves radionuclide scanning and sometimes other imaging studies. Treatment is usually surgical resection. A diverticulum is a saclike pouch that protrudes through a tubular structure; if it contains all layers of the structure, it is considered a true diverticulum (see also Definition of Diverticular Disease ). 