A rare case of Meckel’s diverticulum causing small bowel obstruction in a 50-year-old man

INTRODUCTION: Meckel’s diverticulum is the most common congenital anomaly of the small intestine. Common complications involving Meckel’s diverticulum include hemorrhage, intestinal obstruction, and inflammation. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We present a rare case of a Meckel’s diverticulum causing small bowel obstruction. A 50-year old male presented to the emergency department (ED) with vomiting, abdominal pain and distension. Computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen showed dilated small bowel loops consistent with a small bowel obstruction. The patient was taken to the operating theatre for a laparotomy and was found to have a transition point from a mesodiverticular adhesion causing upstream dilatation which was released. The patient recovered with no postoperative complications and was discharged home. DISCUSSION: Meckel’s diverticulum is the most common congenital anomaly of the small intestine. Diagnosis of Meckel’s diverticulum is difficult to confirm preoperatively as most patients are asymptomatic. Frequent complications of Meckel’s diverticulum include hemorrhage, intestinal obstruction, and infection, with intestinal obstruction being the second most common complication. CONCLUSION: The complications of Meckel’s diverticulum should be considered by the treating clinician in the differential diagnosis of small bowel obstruction.