CT of Meckel's diverticulitis in 11 patients.

Abstract

This study reviews the CT findings of Meckel's diverticulitis in 11 patients and, to our knowledge, represents the largest series of such cases reported to date. The inflamed Meckel's diverticulum may be visualized on CT in most patients, appearing as a blind-ending pouch of variable size and mural thickness and containing fluid, air, or particulate material with surrounding mesenteric inflammation. The location of the diverticulum may vary from the right lower quadrant to the mid abdomen, with most cases in this series located near midline. Optimal luminal opacification of the ileocecal bowel with oral contrast material facilitated detection of the diverticulum and also proved invaluable in enabling identification of the normal appendix. The diagnosis is most difficult in the setting of secondary intestinal obstruction.