| [ Summary ] |
Meckel's diverticulum is the most prevalent congenital abnormality of the small bowel and is caused by incomplete obliteration of the vitelline duct. This diverticulum is known to cause complications such as bleeding, obstruction, and inflammation. Although CT, ultrasonography, and 99mTc pertechnetate scintigraphy are useful for diagnosis, this disease is easily misdiagnosed when not considered as a possible diagnosis. Symptomatic Meckel's diverticulum should be treated with surgical resection. However, the management of asymptomatic Meckel's diverticulum is still controversial. The risk factors of symptomatic diverticulum include male sex, young age, a long diverticulum, and the presence of an ectopic mucosa or band formation. If patients have such risk factors, diverticulectomy should be considered. |