A Case of Intestinal Intussusception Caused by Meckel's Diverticulum in a Woman in Week 17 of Pregnancy

Abstract

A 35-year-old woman in week 17 of pregnancy was seen at our hospital because of vomiting and abdominal pain. There was tenderness in the lower abdomen, and a tumor was palpable in the right lower quadrant of abdomen. Abdominal ultrasonography showed a 2-cm sized mass in the right lower quadrant of abdomen. Following an abdominal MRI scanning, intussusception was diagnosed and an emergency operation was performed on the same day. Laparotomy disclosed an ileocolic intussusception. Repair by means of Hutchinson's procedure revealed a diverticulum 60 cm proximal to the ileocecal valve which was considered to lead the intussusception. Partial resection of the small intestine by 4 cm in length including the diverticulum was performed. Histopathologically it was true diverticulum and we diagnosed the case as intussusception led by the Meckel's diverticulum. The postoperative course was uneventful. The patient gave birth by Cesarean section on the 5^th day in week 39 of pregnancy.
Symptoms of bowel obstruction during pregnancy are mimicking those accompanied by pregnancy, and every x-ray examination is generally avoided. Accordingly making the definite diagnosis is not always easy and prompt treatments are needed to eliminate adverse effects on both mother and fetus. Since it is extremely rare that intussusception caused by Meckel's diverticulum occurs during pregnancy, we present this case with a review of the literature.