Case for Thought: Meckel's Diverticulum in the Adult Population

Division

North Florida

Hospital

North Florida Regional Medical Center

Document Type

Case Report

Publication Date

4-26-2022

Keywords

meckel's diverticulum, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, gastrointestinal bleeding, gastrointestinal tract complications, vitelline duct remnant, meckel's diverticulum in adults, incidental meckel's diverticulum

Disciplines

Congenital, Hereditary, and Neonatal Diseases and Abnormalities | Digestive System Diseases | Internal Medicine

Abstract

Meckel’s diverticulum (MD) is a well-known gastrointestinal (GI) congenital anomaly that is generally considered a disorder in neonates or a “clinically silent” disorder in adults. While prevalent in children, MD is not often considered as a differential in the etiology of GI bleeding in the adult population. We describe a case of MD presenting as a copious GI bleed in a 65-year-old male, which was found after numerous diagnostic studies. Our case report aims to challenge the idea that Meckel’s diverticulum is solely a neonatal disorder, identify this vitelline duct remnant as a potential cause of GI pathology in the adult population, and discuss the detection and management of this congenital abnormality when found in the older population.

Publisher or Conference

Cureus

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