Summary

• Most common congenital abnormality of the small bowel.
• Majority of patients remain asymptomatic for their entire life.
• Majority of symptomatic patients present before the age of 2 years.
• GI bleeding is a common presenting symptom in children and adults. The most useful diagnostic tool in cases with bleeding is the technetium-99m pertechnetate scan (Meckel's scan).
• Obstructive symptoms are another common presenting symptom and may be caused by several mechanisms, including intussusception.
• Meckel's diverticulitis occurs in 20% of patients who become symptomatic and is clinically indistinguishable from appendicitis.