Meckel's diverticulum: A challenging diagnosis

Abstract

ObjectivesThis single‐center, cross‐sectional study aims to elucidate the clinical presentation, diagnostic evaluation, and outcomes in a subset of pediatric patients with atypical and/or challenging presentations of Meckel's diverticulum.MethodsWe conducted a single‐center cross‐sectional study on children diagnosed with Meckel's diverticulum at Children's Health in Dallas, Texas between 2010 and 2022. We identified 11 patients aged 0–17‐years‐old with confirmed Meckel's diverticulum who presented with atypical symptoms and/or a challenging diagnostic course. Patient demographics, symptoms at presentation, diagnostic workup, time to diagnosis, management, and outcomes were collected. Descriptive statistics were utilized.ResultsEleven patients (n = 8, 73% male) were included in the study with an average age of 10.5 years (range: 1–17 years). The mean time interval from initial presentation of symptoms to diagnosis was 8 months (range: 0–33 months). Barriers to diagnosis of Meckel's diverticulum identified in our study included atypical presentations, negative or nonconfirmatory Meckel scan results, negative surgical findings, and competing differential diagnoses.ConclusionMeckel's diverticulum is a challenging diagnosis and should be considered even if initial evaluation is negative as certain patients exhibit atypical presentations that necessitate surgical intervention for diagnosis.