Meckel's diverticulitis: a rare entity of Meckel's diverticulum

Meckel's diverticulum is the most common congenital abnormality of the small intestine that results from incomplete closure of the vitelline (omphalo-mesenteric) duct. This true diverticulum, ~2 ft from the ileocecal valve commonly found on the anti-mesenteric border of the ileum, is benign and majority asymptomatic. Diagnosis challenges arise when it became inflamed or presented in following ways, for example, haemorrhage (caused by ectopic pepsin—and hydrochloric acid—secreting gastric mucosa), intestinal obstruction (secondary to intussusception or volvulus) or the presence of diverticulum in the hernia sac (Littre's hernia). We report a case of a 59-year-old male who was admitted under the surgical service at Blackpool Victoria Hospital with suspected appendicitis that turned out to be a Meckel's diverticulitis, a rare presentation of an acute abdomen. We discuss the issues involved in his investigation and management as well as perform a literature review comparing different surgical approaches.