Modality | Features and caveats |
Plain abdominal film | - May demonstrate nonspecific signs of intestinal obstruction
- An enterolith may be seen in the lower abdomen but cannot be definitively localized to the Meckel's as opposed to the appendix
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Ultrasonography | - An obstructed Meckel's diverticulum may be identified as a fluid-filled pouch off the distal small intestine
- Ultrasound findings are nonspecific and easily confused with appendicitis
- Intussusception can be diagnosed with ultrasound, but attributing the lead point to be a Meckel's diverticulum cannot be determined with any certainty
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Computed tomography | - Asymptomatic or bleeding diverticula are rarely or infrequently identified with computed tomography
- A distinction between a Meckel's diverticulum and normal small intestinal loops is virtually impossible in the absence of associated inflammation
- Acutely inflamed diverticula can be identified as a blind pouch off the distal small intestine and are typically with associated bowel wall thickening of the peridiverticular fat
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Upper gastrointestinal series | - Small bowel series have demonstrated Meckel's diverticulum but are unreliable even using enteroclysis in experienced hands
- False negative rates are high due to:
- Rapid emptying of contrast from the diverticulum
- Obscured visualization of the diverticulum due to overlying contrast-filled small bowel loops
- Poor filling of the diverticulum (occlusion or narrowing of the entrance)
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Mesenteric arteriography | - A diagnosis of Meckel's is based upon the finding of an anomalous superior mesenteric artery branch feeding the diverticulum; active contrast extravasation may be seen in patients with ongoing hemorrhage
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Meckel's scan | - Identifies areas of ectopic gastric mucosa, if present
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