Perforated Meckel’s Diverticulum Masquerading as a Mesenteric Abscess Related to Umbilical Piercing: An Unusual Cause of Acute Abdomen

Perforated Meckel’s diverticulum (MD) is a rare cause of acute abdomen in adults. We describe the case of a 32-year-old man presenting with worsening abdominal pain three weeks following the piercing of his umbilicus. Computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis demonstrated a small mesenteric collection intimately related to the recently placed navel ornamentation, and a preliminary diagnosis of intra-abdominal abscess secondary to an infected umbilical piercing was made. Initial conservative management with antibiotic therapy was unsuccessful. Subsequent open surgical approach demonstrated an inflamed, perforated Meckel’s diverticulum with a small, adjacent infected collection separate from, but in close proximity to the belly-button foreign body. The patient was successfully treated with small bowel resection and followed an uneventful postoperative course.