Meckel's Diverticulum Diagnosed on Double-balloon Enteroscopy

Abstract

Background : Meckel's diverticulum is a congenital anomaly of the gastrointestinal tract and is situated 40-130 cm from the ileocecal junction. Thus, it is difficult to detect endoscopically prior to surgery. However, double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) enables the entire small intestine to be examined.Case Report : A 29-year-old man presented with a 4-day history of melena without abdominal pain. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, colonoscopy, abdominal contrast-enhanced computed tomography, radiolabeled red cell scintigraphy, and technetium(Tc) 99m pertechnetate scintigraphy did not detect the source of bleeding. However, on retrograde DBE, a Meckel's diverticulum, which had a small ulcer, was found in the distal part of the ileum. The diverticulum was resected laparoscopically. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful; the patient continues to be in complete remission.Conclusions : This is the case of the Meckel's diverticulum that was preoperatively diagnosed using DBE.