Imaging of Meckel's diverticulum in adults: pictorial essay

Abstract

Meckel's diverticulum is the most common congenital abnormality of the gastrointestinal tract. It is usually asymptomatic but may present with complications of acute diverticular inflammation, ulceration, hemorrhage, small bowel obstruction, perforation, retained foreign bodies, enterolith formation, and neoplasm development. Thus, the preoperative radiological diagnosis is crucial for proper management of the patients. This article reviews the anatomic and clinical features of Meckel's and describes the role of imaging in the detection of Meckel's and evaluation of its associated pathological processes.

Keywords: Computed tomography; Meckel's diverticulum; Radiography; Radionuclide scintigraphy; Small bowel obstruction.