- Gastroenterology Education and CPD for trainees and specialists - https://www.gastrotraining.com -
Meckel’s scan
Meckel’s diverticulum is the most common congenital abnormality of the small intestine; it is caused by an incomplete obliteration of the vitelline duct.
It is usually of no consequence. However, it can be complicated by GI bleeding (usually rectal bleeding), intestinal obstruction, and acute inflammation of the diverticulum. Obstruction is most frequently caused by an omphalomesenteric band.
Discuss the indication for Meckel’s scan?
It is done when GI bleeding is suspected to be due to a Meckel’s diverticulum. Sometimes the lining of the Meckel’s diverticulum contains ‘gastric mucosa’ instead of the normal intestinal lining and this can lead to bleeding by acid induced damage of the adjacent mucosa. When bleeding occurs within a Meckel’s diverticulum, gastric mucosa is nearly always present. A Meckel’s scan is used to look for the presence of gastric mucosa in the intestine.
What is a Meckel’s scan?
What are the disadvantages of Meckel’s scan?
Article printed from Gastroenterology Education and CPD for trainees and specialists: https://www.gastrotraining.com