Case Author(s): J. Wallis , 6/6/95 . Rating: #D2, #Q4

Diagnosis: Meckel's diverticulum

Brief history:

2 1/2 year old boy with vomiting and melana.

Images:

Anterior image of the abdomen approximately 15 minutes after tracer injection.

View main image(ms) in a separate image viewer

Full history/Diagnosis is available below


Diagnosis: Meckel's diverticulum

Full history:

The patient is a 2 1/2 year old boy with several months of nausea/vomiting and melana. A previous upper GI series demonstrated esophogeal reflux, but was otherwise normal.

Findings:

A discrete focus of increased uptake is seen in the right lower quadrant, with approximately the same intensity as the stomach. On dynamic images (not shown here) this focus accumulated the tracer at the same rate as did the gastric mucosa.

Normal excretion of tracer into the bladder is evident as well.

Discussion:

Gastric mucosa is present in some Meckel's diverticula, permitting visualization using Tc-99m pertechnetate. Those without gastric mucosa will not be seen; however those lacking gastric mucosa are less likely to be sympomatic.

Care must be taken not to confuse accumulation of excreted tracer in the renal collecting system with ectopic gastric mucosa; posterior images are sometimes useful in differentiating these two entities.

ACR Codes and Keywords:

References and General Discussion of Meckel's Scintigraphy (Anatomic field:Gasterointestinal System, Category:Inflammation,Infection)

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Case number: ms001

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