Summary
Definition
History and exam
Key diagnostic factors
- age <2 years
- passage of bright red blood per rectum (hematochezia)
- intractable constipation (obstipation)
Other diagnostic factors
- male sex
- nausea and vomiting
- abdominal cramps
- lower abdominal pain
- diffuse abdominal tenderness
- palpable abdominal mass
- hypotension/tachycardia
Risk factors
- there are no known risk factors
Diagnostic tests
1st tests to order
- CBC
- capsule endoscopy
- CT angiography or mesenteric angiography
- technetium-99m pertechnetate scan ("Meckel scan")
- CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis
- ultrasound of the abdomen
Tests to consider
- contrast enema
- CT enterography
- double-balloon endoscopy
- surgical exploration of the abdomen
Treatment algorithm
asymptomatic
symptomatic
Contributors
Authors
Ali Tavakkoli, MBBS, FRCS, FACS

Chief
Division of General and GI Surgery
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Associate Professor of Surgery
Harvard Medical School
Boston
MA
Disclosures
AT declares that he has no relevant financial conflicts related to this topic.
Acknowledgements
Dr Ali Tavakkoli would like to gratefully acknowledge Dr Gordon G. Wisbach, a previous contributor to this topic.
Disclosures
GGW declares that he has no competing interests.
Peer reviewers
Sina Dorudi, PhD, FRCS, FRCS (Gen)
Professor of Surgical Oncology
Consultant Colorectal Surgeon
The Royal London Hospital
London
UK
Disclosures
SD declares that he has no competing interests.
Wael El-Matary, MBBCh, MD, MRCP
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
University of Alberta
Edmonton
Alberta
Canada
Disclosures
WEM declares that he has no competing interests.
Stephen Kavic, MD
Associate Professor of Surgery
University of Maryland
Baltimore
MD
Disclosures
SK declares that he has no competing interests.
References
Key articles
Hansen CC, Søreide K. Systematic review of epidemiology, presentation, and management of Meckel's diverticulum in the 21st century. Medicine (Baltimore). 2018 Aug;97(35):e12154.Full text Abstract
Yahchouchy EK, Marano AF, Etienne JC, et al. Meckel's diverticulum. J Am Coll Surg. 2001 May;192(5):658-62. Abstract
Gan T, Evers MB. Meckel diverticulum. In: Townsend CM Jr. Sabiston textbook of surgery. 21st ed. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2021:1240-300.
Sengupta N, Kastenberg DM, Bruining DH, et al. The role of imaging for GI bleeding: ACG and SAR consensus recommendations. Radiology. 2024 Mar;310(3):e232298.Full text Abstract
Reference articles
A full list of sources referenced in this topic is available to users with access to all of BMJ Best Practice.
Differentials
- Appendicitis
- Non-Meckel diverticulum-related intussusception
- Biliary colic
More DifferentialsGuidelines
- The role of imaging for GI bleeding: ACG and SAR consensus recommendations
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