Meckel's Diverticulum: Pitfalls in Scintigraphic Detection in the Adult

Michael J. Schwartz, James H. Lewis

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

97 Scopus citations

Abstract

The diagnosis of a bleeding Meckel's diverticulum containing ectopic gastric mucosa by 99m‐Tc pertech‐netate imaging is reported to have a diagnostic accuracy of 90% for patients in the pediatric age group. The usefulness of Meckel's scanning in adults is, however, less certain. We present two patients who illustrate some of the difficulties inherent in Meckel's scanning in adults; one bad a false‐negative scan despite the presence of ectopic gastric mucosa and the other had a false‐positive scan, both confirmed by laparotomy. The available literature indicates that false‐positive and false‐negative scans occur relatively frequently In adults, hut no comprehensive review on this subject exists. Based on our findings, it is suggested that Meckel's scanning be supplemented with small bowel infusion or arteriography or both to improve preoperative diagnosis in adult patients in whom a diverticulum is suspected.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)611-618
Number of pages8
JournalThe American Journal of Gastroenterology
Volume79
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 1984
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Hepatology
  • Gastroenterology

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