title: The "false-negative" Meckel's scan.
abstract: A case is presented of a 17-month-old girl who underwent two Meckel's scans with Tc-99m pertechnetate. The initial study was interpreted as normal while a subsequent study five days later was definitely positive. Surgery immediately following the positive Meckel's scan demonstrated a Meckel's diverticulum containing gastric mucosa without evidence of active hemorrhage. This prompted a review of the literature in reference to false-negative Meckel's scans which revealed a wide variance in the reported incidence of false-negative examinations. Repeat scintigraphy in the face of a strong clinical suspicion after an initial normal study may decrease the indicence of false-negative imaging series.
mesh_terms: D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008467:Meckel Diverticulum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D013670:Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m; D013667:Technetium; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D013667:Technetium; D013670:Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m