MECKELS-DIVERTICULUM - PITFALLS IN SCINTIGRAPHIC DETECTION IN THE ADULT

  • 1 January 1984
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 79  (8) , 611-618
Abstract
The diagnosis of a bleedling Meckel''s diverticulum containing ectopic gastric mucosa by 99mTc pertechnetate imaging is reported to have a diagnostic accuracy of 90% for patients in the pediatric age group. The usefulnes of Meckel''s scanning in adults is, however, less certain. Two patients are presented who illustrate some of the difficulties inherent in Mechkel''s scanning in adults; one had 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, but no comprehensive review on this subject exists. Meckel''s scanning probably should be supplemented with small bowel infusion or arteriography or both to improve preoperative diagnosis in adult patients in whom a diverticulum is suspected.