Meckel's diverticulum (patient information): Difference between revisions
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{{Meckel's diverticulum (patient information)}} | {{Meckel's diverticulum (patient information)}} | ||
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==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
A Meckel's diverticulum is a pouch on the wall of the lower part of the [[small bowel]] that is present at birth ([[congenital]]). The diverticulum may contain tissue from the [[stomach]] or [[pancreas]]. | A Meckel's diverticulum is a pouch on the wall of the lower part of the [[small bowel]] that is present at birth ([[congenital]]). The [[diverticulum]] may contain tissue from the [[stomach]] or [[pancreas]]. | ||
==What are the symptoms of Meckel's diverticulum?== | ==What are the symptoms of Meckel's diverticulum?== | ||
Symptoms include: | Symptoms include: | ||
* Abdominal discomfort or pain ranging from mild to severe | * [[Abdominal pain|Abdominal discomfort]] or [[pain]] ranging from mild to severe | ||
* Passing of blood in the stool | * Passing of [[blood]] in the [[Human feces|stool]] | ||
Symptoms often occur during the first few years of life, but may not start until adulthood. | [[Symptom|Symptoms]] often occur during the first few years of life, but may not start until adulthood. | ||
==What are the causes of Meckel's diverticulum?== | ==What are the causes of Meckel's diverticulum?== | ||
A Meckel's diverticulum is tissue left over from structures in the unborn baby's digestive tract that were not fully reabsorbed before birth. Approximately 2% of the population has a Meckel's diverticulum, but only a few people develop symptoms. | A Meckel's diverticulum is [[Tissue (biology)|tissue]] left over from structures in the unborn baby's [[Gastrointestinal tract|digestive tract]] that were not fully reabsorbed before birth. Approximately 2% of the population has a Meckel's diverticulum, but only a few people develop symptoms. | ||
==Diagnosis== | ==Diagnosis== | ||
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* Blockage of the [[intestine]] | * Blockage of the [[intestine]] | ||
* [[Inflammation]] of the pouch ([[diverticulitis]]) | * [[Inflammation]] of the pouch ([[diverticulitis]]) | ||
* Invisible (occult) blood in the stool | * Invisible (occult) [[blood]] in the [[Human feces|stool]] | ||
* Painless bleeding in the intestine | * Painless [[bleeding]] in the [[intestine]] | ||
* Visible blood in the stool | * Visible [[blood]] in the [[Human feces|stool]] | ||
===Tests=== | ===Tests=== | ||
* [[Hematocrit]] | * [[Hematocrit]] | ||
* [[Hemoglobin]] | * [[Hemoglobin]] | ||
* Stool smear for invisible blood ([[stool guaiac]]) | * [[Human feces|Stool]] smear for invisible [[blood]] ([[Stool guaiac test|stool guaiac]]) | ||
* [[Technetium scan]] | * [[Radionuclide|Technetium scan]] | ||
===Diseases with similar symptoms=== | ===Diseases with similar symptoms=== | ||
*[[Crohn's disease]] | *[[Crohn's disease]] | ||
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==When to seek urgent medical care?== | ==When to seek urgent medical care?== | ||
See your health care provider promptly if your child passes blood or bloody stool or complains repeatedly of abdominal discomfort. | See your health care provider promptly if your child passes [[blood]] or [[Gastrointestinal bleeding|bloody stool]] or complains repeatedly of [[Abdominal pain|abdominal discomfort]]. | ||
==Treatment options== | ==Treatment options== | ||
Surgery to remove the [[diverticulum]] is recommended if bleeding develops. In these rare cases, the segment of small intestine that contains the diverticulum is surgically removed. The ends of the intestine are sewn back together. | Surgery to remove the [[diverticulum]] is recommended if [[bleeding]] develops. In these rare cases, the segment of [[small intestine]] that contains the diverticulum is surgically removed. The ends of the [[intestine]] are sewn back together. | ||
You may need iron replacement to correct [[anemia]]. If you have a lot of bleeding, you may need a [[blood transfusion]]. | You may need [[iron]] replacement to correct [[anemia]]. If you have a lot of [[bleeding]], you may need a [[blood transfusion]]. | ||
==Where to find medical care for Meckel's diverticulum?== | ==Where to find medical care for Meckel's diverticulum?== | ||
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Full recovery can be expected with surgery. | Full recovery can be expected with surgery. | ||
==Possible | ==Possible complications== | ||
* Excess bleeding ([[hemorrhage]]) | * Excess [[bleeding]] ([[hemorrhage]]) | ||
* Folding of the intestines ([[intussusception]]), a type of blockage | * Folding of the [[Intestine|intestines]] ([[intussusception]]), a type of blockage | ||
* [[Peritonitis]] | * [[Peritonitis]] | ||
* Tear ([[perforation]]) of the bowel at the [[diverticulum]] | * Tear ([[perforation]]) of the [[Intestine|bowel]] at the [[diverticulum]] | ||
==Sources== | ==Sources== | ||
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[[Category:Gastroenterology]] | [[Category:Gastroenterology]] | ||
[[Category:Congenital disorders]] | [[Category:Congenital disorders]] | ||
[[Category:Pediatrics]] | |||
[[Category:Disease]] | |||
{{WH}} | {{WH}} | ||
{{WS}} | {{WS}} | ||
Latest revision as of 03:37, 9 January 2018
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Meckel's Diverticulum |
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Meckel's diverticulum On the Web |
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Assistant Editor-in-Chief: Meagan E. Doherty
Overview
A Meckel's diverticulum is a pouch on the wall of the lower part of the small bowel that is present at birth (congenital). The diverticulum may contain tissue from the stomach or pancreas.
What are the symptoms of Meckel's diverticulum?
Symptoms include:
- Abdominal discomfort or pain ranging from mild to severe
- Passing of blood in the stool
Symptoms often occur during the first few years of life, but may not start until adulthood.
What are the causes of Meckel's diverticulum?
A Meckel's diverticulum is tissue left over from structures in the unborn baby's digestive tract that were not fully reabsorbed before birth. Approximately 2% of the population has a Meckel's diverticulum, but only a few people develop symptoms.
Diagnosis
Signs of Meckel's diverticulum:
- Blockage of the intestine
- Inflammation of the pouch (diverticulitis)
- Invisible (occult) blood in the stool
- Painless bleeding in the intestine
- Visible blood in the stool
Tests
- Hematocrit
- Hemoglobin
- Stool smear for invisible blood (stool guaiac)
- Technetium scan
Diseases with similar symptoms
When to seek urgent medical care?
See your health care provider promptly if your child passes blood or bloody stool or complains repeatedly of abdominal discomfort.
Treatment options
Surgery to remove the diverticulum is recommended if bleeding develops. In these rare cases, the segment of small intestine that contains the diverticulum is surgically removed. The ends of the intestine are sewn back together.
You may need iron replacement to correct anemia. If you have a lot of bleeding, you may need a blood transfusion.
Where to find medical care for Meckel's diverticulum?
Directions to Hospitals Treating Meckel's diverticulum
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
Full recovery can be expected with surgery.
Possible complications
- Excess bleeding (hemorrhage)
- Folding of the intestines (intussusception), a type of blockage
- Peritonitis
- Tear (perforation) of the bowel at the diverticulum