General Surgery

	Answer 4 Meckel’s diverticulitis. Hemorrhage is the most common complication of Meckel’s diverticulitis in children; therefore, this condition should be considered in any child with abdominal pain of unclear etiology associated with GI hemorrhage. Intestinal obstruction is another possible diagnosis but is more common in adults. The diagnosis of Meckel’s diverticulitis can be confirmed by 99mTc-pertechnetate scan, which detects heterotopic gastric mucosa or pancreatic tissue within the diverticulum. Meckel’s diverticula are usually completely asymptomatic, but resection is necessary when complications develop. Colonic arteriovenous malformations can cause GI hemorrhage in children but are much less common than Meckel’s diverticula. Appendicitis is common in children but very rarely causes hemorrhage. Colonic diverticulitis and gastric stress ulcers are exceedingly rare in children and are unlikely in this case. Click here to return to the questions
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