Meckel's diverticulum: angiographic findings in 16 patients.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to assess the sensitivity of angiography in revealing the vitellointestinal artery or other arteriographic abnormalities in patients in whom surgery subsequently proved Meckel's diverticulum.


METHODS
From the 36 patients who had undergone a Meckel's diverticulectomy between 1980 and 1997 at Hammersmith Hospital or a referring hospital, we selected 18 who had undergone preoperative angiography at our institution. Case notes and angiograms of these 18 patients were reviewed for the presence of a persistent vitellointestinal artery or other angiographic evidence of a Meckel's diverticulum.


RESULTS
Angiograms of 16 of 18 patients were available for review. A striking male preponderance existed (male:female = 13:3). Mean age was 28 years (range, 12-65 years). In 11 (69%) of the 16 patients, a persistent vitellointestinal artery was seen that had been noted at the time of the study and reported before surgery for nine patients. Other angiographic abnormalities at the site of the Meckel's diverticulum were present in four patients and included a vascular blush, early venous return, and arterial irregularity.


CONCLUSIONS
Angiography will show a persistent vitellointestinal artery in most individuals with a Meckel's diverticulum who present with chronic gastrointestinal bleeding. However, the recognition of a persistent vitellointestinal artery may be difficult because of overlying vessels, and superselective catheterization of distal ileal arteries may be necessary.
Mitchell
A W
AW
Department of Imaging, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital, London, United Kingdom.
Spencer
J
J
Allison
D J
DJ
Jackson
J E
JE
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016888:Angiodysplasia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D000792:Angiography; D015901:Angiography, Digital Subtraction; D001158:Arteries; D001165:Arteriovenous Malformations / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002406:Catheterization, Peripheral; D002432:Cecum / Q000098:blood supply; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003106:Colon / Q000098:blood supply; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; D005260:Female; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007082:Ileum / Q000098:blood supply; D007422:Intestines / Q000098:blood supply; D007580:Jejunal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D007583:Jejunum / Q000098:blood supply; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008467:Meckel Diverticulum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008638:Mesenteric Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D014816:Vitelline Duct / Q000098:blood supply