Unusual presentation of a curve-shaped Meckel's diverticulum detected on technetium-99m Meckel's scintigraphy

Abstract

Complicated Meckel's diverticulum (MD) in pediatric age group may not present with classic symptoms or signs. The routine modalities of investigations for the detection of MD are ultrasonography (US), computerized tomography, and air enema. However, these may miss the diagnosis in cases of atypical patterns of presentation. In such situations, the radionuclide Meckel scan helps to narrow down the diagnosis. The objective of this case report was to present an unusual presentation of MD where the diagnosis was established by a radionuclide scan against other methods which were equivocal. An 8-year-old boy was admitted with features of intestinal obstruction.^99mTc-pertechnetate Meckel's scintigraphy showed localization of tracer in ectopic gastric mucosa. The surgical exploration after the Meckel's scan revealed a curve-shaped MD localized 50 cm proximal to the ileocecal valve. The surgery was completed after a diverticulectomy, and the patient was relived of symptoms. MD scintigraphy can help detect ectopic gastric mucosa in cases of unusual presentation by considering the atypical presentation, variation in shape, and location on Meckel's scan and improve the disease management.

Keywords

Gastric mucosa - meckel's diverticulum - radionuclide Meckel's scan

Introduction

Meckel's diverticulum (MD), a true diverticulum of the distal ileum containing all the three layers of the gut, is a frequently observed gastrointestinal malformation caused from inadequate obliteration of the omphalomesenteric (vitelline) duct around 5 weeks of intrauterine period. The vitelline duct supplied by vitelline artery contains pluripotent cells; hence, the MD often presents with heterotopic tissue like gastric mucosa followed by pancreatic mucosa and rarely colonic and gastric mucosa.[1] The type and amount of the heterotopic tissue explains the pathological reason causing complications such as hemorrhage, perforation, intestinal obstruction, and others.[2] Symptomatic MD usually follows the “rule of 2s”presenting within 2 years of age occurring in 2% of the population, located within 2 feet proximal to the ileocecal valve measuring 2 inches in diameter. Asymptomatic MD presents with the complications associated with it. The risk of such manifestations is reported to be 25%–33%.[3],[4] The wide range of symptoms and the associated morbidity necessitates high degree of suspicion in detecting MD. The choice of treatment is surgery which usually is segmental resection of MD along with the adjoining normal ileum as it may also contain ectopic mucosa.[5] MD scintigraphy is a common and more accurate modality employed in the diagnosis of MD. The other usual investigations that can help identifying MD include abdominal ultrasound, computerized tomography (CT), and in some cases angiography. This report presents an atypical clinical and imaging presentation of MD, where Meckel's scan guided in clinching the diagnosis.

Case Report

An 8-year-old boy presented with pain and distension of abdomen for 1 week. There were intermittent episodes of vomiting with no fever. He was able to pass flatus intermittently but was unable to pass stools. The abdominal radiographs showed air and fluid levels. The clinical diagnosis of intestinal obstruction was made. The ultrasound of abdomen and pelvis raised suspicion of intussusception with free fluid. The CT scan also raised suspicion of small bowel obstruction due to features of dilated proximal bowel loops. The suspicion of intussusception versus MD was suspected.

The Meckel's scan was advised in this case of unusual presentation of intestinal obstruction with equivocal findings on ultrasound and CT scan to rule out possibility of MD.

¹⁵mCi (555MBq) of Tc-99m pertechnetate was injected intravenously, and dynamic images of abdomen and pelvis were acquired for 30 min in anterior and posterior projections on dual-head GE Infinia gamma camera.[6] The later static images at 30 min and 1 h and single photon emission CT/CT images were acquired. There was a localized focal tracer concentration to right hypochondriac region that was seen to be curved like a bowel loop, synchronized with the appearance of gastric mucosal activity of Tc-99m pertechnetate. The activity did not show antegrade movement till delayed images. The diagnosis of MD containing ectopic gastric mucosa was made considering the constant activity of technetium-99m pertechnetate in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen and its simultaneous visualization with the gastric radiotracer activity [Figure 1].

Figure 1 Tc-99m Radionuclide Meckel's scan demonstrating abnormal tracer accumulation in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen and its simultaneous visualisation with the gastric radiotracer activity

The patient was operated, and the diagnosis was confirmed by the intraoperative visualization of the diverticulum and histopathological examination of the specimen. There was gangrenous perforation of the diverticulum with impending obstructive symptoms. The postoperative course was uneventful [Figure 2].

Figure 2 Intra-operative visualisation of the diverticulum and gangrenous perforation of the diverticulum with impending obstructive symptoms. Blue arrow indicates the visualization of gastric mucosa in MD on a Meckel's scan ; green arrow indicates the CT observation of MD; yellow arrow indicates the postoperative specimen of MD with the distal gangrenous perforation

Discussion

The majority of symptomatic Meckel's diverticula are lined by an ectopic mucosa, including an acid-secreting mucosa. Unlike the upper duodenal mucosa, the acid is not neutralized by pancreatic bicarbonate. When the adjacent normal ileal mucosa undergoes ulceration that causes intermittent painless rectal bleeding, Menezes et al. and Chen et al. had reported the incidence of hemorrhage as 55.5% and 39%, respectively.[7],[8] An Indian series by Mittal et al. had observed intestinal hemorrhage in 71.42% cases.[9]

Less often, a MD is associated with partial or complete bowel obstruction. The most common mechanism of obstruction occurs when the diverticulum acts as the lead point of an intussusception. The mean age of onset of obstruction is less than that for patients presenting with bleeding.[10] Obstruction and intussusception together account for about 32 percent of MD disease. According to Oldham and Wesley,[11] 5%–10% of patients with symptomatic diverticular disease present with the clinical picture of intussusception. Obstruction can also result from intraperitoneal bands connecting residual omphalomesenteric duct remnants to the ileum and umbilicus. These bands cause obstruction by internal herniation or volvulus of the small bowel around the band.[12]

Among the various methods of detection including abdominal ultrasound, superior mesenteric angiography, abdominal CT scan, and exploratory laparoscopy, MD scintigraphy performed with Tc-99m pertechnetate is less invasive and more sensitive. When MD scintigraphy is enhanced with various agents, including cimetidine, glucagon, and gastrin,[13] it has a sensitivity of 85%, specificity of 95%, and accuracy of 90% in detecting ectopic gastric mucosa.[14]

Atypical presentation of MD in imaging poses a challenge in diagnosis. The routine diagnostic criteria suggested by SNMMI Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging and EANM European Association of Nuclear Medicine to interpret a positive scan of MD include an abnormal focal (usually rounded shape) dense radioactive lesion in or gradually increasing tracer concentration in the right lower quadrant synchronized with the appearance and gradual increase in the gastric activity.[1],[6] Although the aforementioned criteria identify the typical cases, the chance of missing an atypical presentation stands high.

In this patient, we identified an unusual curve-shaped MD in an atypical location in the right upper quadrant region on Tc-99m Meckel's scintigraphy. There was no movement of the MD in subsequent images of Meckel's scan due to perforation and adhesions. In a study conducted by Wu et al. in 93 patients, 10.8% were found to have atypical MD in the right upper quadrant.[13] The morphological characteristics of a MD determine the location and shape of a lesion in the scintigraphic image. In case of a long diverticula, the ectopic gastric mucosa grew at its distal end, whereas in a short diverticula, it can be present anywhere.[15] The varied location of MD is attributed to the interference and displacement of the small intestine.[14],[16] The shape of the lesion on a pertechnetate scan is related to the distribution of the functioning ectopic gastric mucosa in the diverticulum.[15] Thus, careful interpretation of Meckel's scan requires the consideration of simultaneous appearance of activity with gastric mucosa and persistence of activity till delayed images. The clinical presentation, shape, and location may vary.

Conclusion

The interpretation of MD necessitates careful consideration of the diverse atypical characteristics which vary according to the anatomical and histopathological presentations. Thereby, false-negative studies can be avoided by considering the atypical presentation, variation in shape, and location on Meckel's scan.

Declaration of patient consent

The authors certify that they have obtained all appropriate patient consent forms. In the form the patient(s) has/have given his/her/their consent for his/her/their images and other clinical information to be reported in the journal. The patients understand that their names and initials will not be published and due efforts will be made to conceal their identity, but anonymity cannot be guaranteed.

Conflict of Interest

There are no conflicts of interest.

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil.

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Publication History

Received: 26 March 2019

Accepted: 29 June 2019

Article published online:
19 April 2022