The "False-Negative" Meckel??s Scan

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Abstract
A case is presented of a 17-mo.-old girl who underwent 2 Meckel''s scans with 99mTc pertechnetate. The initial study was interpreted as normal while a subsequent study 5 days later was definitely positive. Surgery immediately following the positive Meckel''s scan demonstrated a Meckel''s diverticulum containing gastric mucosa without evidence of active hemorrhage. This prompted a review of the literature in reference to false-negative Meckel''s scans which revealed a wide variance in the reported incidence of false-negative examinations. Repeat scintigraphy in the face of a strong clinical suspicion after an initial normal study may decrease the incidence of false-negative imaging series.