SEARCH RESULTS FOR: Meckels-Diverticulum

Meckels Diverticulum

Meckel’s Diverticulum: Pathogenesis and Clinical Findings No clear predisposition Stercolith (hard fecal mass) forms & is trapped in diverticulum Foreign body enters diverticulum & becomes trapped inside Incomplete vitelline duct obliteration (~5-7 weeks gestation) Diverticulum sags into Intussusception (section bowel lumen & acts as lead of intestine slides into Meckel’s Diverticulum point for intussusception adjacent region) Persistent remnant of vitelline duct containing all 3 layers of ileal mucosa (asymptomatic in 96-98% of cases) Diverticulum remains attached to umbilicus by persistent fibrous band Volvulus (loop of ileum twists around diverticulum) Ectopic tissue present within diverticulum Diverticulum goes through abdominal wall defect Littre’s Hernia (diverticulum in hernial sac) Diverticulum becomes incarcerated Ectopic gastric mucosa produces acid secretions Ectopic pancreatic tissue secretes digestive enzymes Ileal mucosa adjacent to diverticulum become ulcerated Inflammatory mediators disrupt hypothalamic regulation Small bowel becomes obstructed Perforation of diverticulum Brisk painless bleeding from small bowel Chronic inflammation & ulceration Fever Nausea/ vomiting Small bowel necrosis Hematochezia (bright red blood per rectum) ↓ Effective arterial blood volume Mucosa undergoes dysplastic & neoplastic transformation Complete erosion through ileal mucosa Small bowel perforation Hypotension Neuroendocrine tumour or other cancer Diverticulum becomes blocked & triggers local inflammatory response Meckel’s Diverticulitis Inflammation of Meckel’s Diverticulum Diverticulum is distended due to inflammation Visceral afferent nerves are stimulated by intestinal stretch Abdominal pain Chronic painless bleeding from small bowel Melena (partially digested blood in stool) Iron-deficiency anemia Authors: Taylor Krawec, Merry Faye Graff Reviewers: Emily J. Doucette, Sylvain Coderre* * Indicates MD at time of publication Legend: Pathophysiology Mechanism Sign/Symptom/Lab Finding Complications Intestinal contents leak into peritoneum Peritonitis Systemic inflammatory response to peritonitis Published May 31, 2025 on www.thecalgaryguide.com Sepsis