Multimodality imaging manifestations of the Meckel diverticulum in children

Abstract

Meckel diverticulum is the most common congenital abnormality of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, occurring in approximately 2% of the general population. The lifetime complication rate from a Meckel diverticulum is 0.5%-2%. The most common complications include bleeding, obstruction, inflammation and perforation. However, the clinical manifestations of a Meckel diverticulum are frequently nonspecific. As a result, complications secondary to Meckel diverticulitis can mimic a variety of more common intra-abdominal processes, such as appendicitis, inflammatory bowel disease and any other cause of small bowel inflammation or obstruction. The radiologist should be aware of potential manifestations of the disease on different imaging modalities. In this pictorial essay, we illustrate several complications related to the Meckel diverticulum, in multiple modalities.