Perforated Meckel’s diverticulum in a young male patient: a case report

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DESCRIPTION OF THE CASE

Anamnesis. A 26-year-old male patient was admitted to our emergency department due to severe abdominal pain, fever, and vomiting, with vital signs in a normal range.

Diagnostic assessment. The physical examination demonstrated a distended abdomen with guarding and rigidity.

Blood analysis revealed neutrophilic leukocytosis, with a white blood cell count of 12,000/μl (normal values: 4.6–10.2 × 10^3/mL) and approximately 70% of neutrophils (normal values: 40%–75%).

Subsequently, further instrumental investigations were recommended: abdominal X-rays, chest X-rays (which were unremarkable) and finally a total body computed tomography (CT).

On pre-contrast CT evaluation, a blind-ended intestinal loop in the right quadrants of the abdomen was identified, which was associated with diffuse mesenteric edema and multiple contiguous lymphadenopathies (Fig. 1a, b); a post-contrast CT was performed a few hours later, which showed an intense contrast enhancement of the intestinal wall at the level of the blind-ended loop.

 

Fig. 1. This coronal (a) and axial (b) pre-contrast computed tomography images showing a blind-ended intestinal loop (arrows) in the right quadrants of the abdomen with associated mesenteric edema and multiple contiguous lymphadenopathies.

 

These findings were associated with the presence of certain adjacent gas nuclei with antideclive arrangement, diagnostics for perforation (Fig. 2a, b).

 

Fig. 2. Axial (a) and sagittal (b) post-contrast computed tomography images showing an intense contrast enhancement of the intestinal wall at the level of the same blind-ended loop (arrows) and some adjacent gaseous nuclei with antideclive arrangement, diagnostic for perforation.

 

The differential diagnosis. Such characteristics often simulate acute appendicitis, the main condition to be placed in differential diagnosis of Meckel’s diverticulum (MD) inflammation. The identification of a normal appendix strengthens the confidence of the diagnosis.

Interventions. No other examinations were performed and the patient was taken to the operating theater. During the surgery was made definitive diagnosis of Meckel’s diverticulitis and for this reason the patient was subjected to Meckel’s diverticulectomy and ileostomy surgery under general anesthesia.

Follow-up and outcomes. The patient recovered without any complication and was discharged after a couple of days of hospitalization.

DISCUSSION

MD is the most common congenital malformation of the gastrointestinal tract, affecting 2% of the population and carrying a 4.2%–6.4% risk of complications [1]. It was initially reported in 1809 by a German anatomist, Johann Meckel [2], and it is caused by improper closure and absorption of the omphalomesenteric duct [3], the original communication point between the yolk sac and the intestinal lumen in embryonic life, which generally closes around the ninth week of gestation. It frequently contains heterotopic mucosa, such as gastric and pancreatic mucosa, can cause peptic ulceration within the diverticulum or adjoining ileum as a result of their secretions, resulting in intestinal hemorrhage, cicatricial stenosis of the diverticular neck, inflammation, and even perforation.

The well-known “rule of 2s” in the description of this pathology refers to its 2% prevalence, 2-ft distance from ileocecal valve, 2-inch long, containing one or two types of heterotopic gastric or pancreatic tissue, and usually symptomatic by the age of 2 years [4].

The radiological diagnosis of MD can be difficult, especially if the diagnosis is not suspected at first due to the typical nonspecific symptoms of appendicitis, such as abdominal pain, vomiting, and nausea.

CT is now the method of choice, as well as the most accurate, in the evaluation of abdominal pathologies in emergency.

MD generally appears on CT as a blind-ended gas- or fluid-filled structure, which may also contain foreign bodies or enterolithis, generally about 60 cm away from the ileocecal valve. This imaging technique is also able to detect the main complications of this malformation, such as perforation, in this case.

While definitive surgery, including diverticulectomy, wedge, and segmental resection performed by open or laparoscopic approach, is used to treat symptomatic MD, the surgical management of MD accidentally remains controversial [5].

CONCLUSION

MD can present with a wide range of clinical manifestations and imaging features, from indolent benign findings to acute life-threatening conditions, such as its perforation, as in the case presented here [6]. This is the fundamental reason why it is necessary to know its salient anatomy, clinical, and imaging features in order to allow an early radiological diagnosis and a prompt intervention.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Funding source. This article was not supported by any external sources of funding.

Competing interests. The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Authors’ contribution. Tupputi Umberto and Carpagnano Francesca Anna have done the research work related to the topic and the manuscript writing; Carpentiere Rossella and Giuseppe Guglielmi have made the clinical decision of the case and have helped to draft the manuscript. All authors made a substantial contribution to the conception of the work, acquisition, analysis, interpretation of data for the work, drafting and revising the work, final approval of the version to be published and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Consent for publication. Written consent was obtained from the patient for publication of relevant medical information and all of accompanying images within the manuscript.

About the authors

Umberto Tupputi

Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Foggia University School of Medicine; Radiology Unit, Barletta University Campus UNIFG, “Dimiccoli” Hospital

Email: umbertotupputi@yahoo.it
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-0384-5864

MD

Italy, Foggia; Foggia

Francesca Anna Carpagnano

Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Foggia University School of Medicine; Radiology Unit, Barletta University Campus UNIFG, “Dimiccoli” Hospital

Email: c.francesca1991@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-7681-2898

MD

Italy, Foggia; Foggia

Rossella Carpentiere

Radiology Unit, Barletta University Campus UNIFG, “Dimiccoli” Hospital

Email: rossellacarpentiere@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-7821-5675

MD

Italy, Foggia; Foggia

Giuseppe Guglielmi

Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Foggia University School of Medicine; Radiology Unit, Barletta University Campus UNIFG, “Dimiccoli” Hospital; Radiology Unit, Hospital “Casa Sollievo Della Sofferenza”, San Giovanni Rotondo

Author for correspondence.
Email: giuseppe.guglielmi@unifg.it
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-4325-8330

MD, Professor

Italy, Foggia; Foggia; Foggia

References

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