Adult Presentation of Meckel’s Diverticulum: A Case Report

Abstract

Meckel’s diverticulum (MD) is a congenital outpouching or bulge in the lower part of the small intestine. It is the most common congenital defect of the gastrointestinal tract. MD is usually asymptomatic but when symptomatic, typically presents in childhood. A case is presented of a 33-year-old Caucasian man who presented with multiple episodes of bright red blood per rectum prior to hospital admission, with associated weakness and nausea. The patient denied abdominal discomfort, fevers, or vomiting. Eventually, it was found that the patient had a Meckel’s diverticulum with an associated focus of active extravasation from a dilated mesenteric vein. The feeding artery was successfully embolized with cessation of flow to the draining vein. Colonoscopy and computed tomography (CT) scan were inconclusive, and the patient ultimately underwent diagnostic laparoscopy and small bowel resection of the Meckel’s diverticulum to prevent further bleeding by removing aberrant tissue