Radiology of Meckel's diverticulum

Abstract

Meckel's diverticulum is the most common congenital anomaly of the gastrointestinal tract. Approximately 2 to 3% of all individuals have a Meckel's diverticulum and one third of them experience clinical symptoms. Until a decade ago, the correct diagnosis of the lesion was rarely established prior to abdominal surgery or autopsy. However, the introduction of modern imaging techniques and the refinement of gastrointestinal contrast studies have facilitated the preoperative recognition of this entity. This article reviews the radiographic pathology of Meckel's diverticulum and the spectrum of its associated complications.