Meckel's diverticulum and intestinal obstruction--report of a fatal case.
Meckel's diverticulum is an uncommon cause of intestinal obstruction in adult life. Rarely Meckel's diverticulum is complicated by a mesodiverticular band, which is believed to be a remnant of a vitelline artery. When this abnormality occurs it is associated with high mortality. We present a case of a 48-year-old man with increasing abdominal pain and vomiting for 3 days. Meckel's diverticulum was not taken into diagnostic consideration, and the man died. Autopsy revealed a Meckel's diverticulum with a mesodiverticular band and intestinal obstruction. Histological examination of cross sections of the mesodiverticular band showed the presence of an artery. Because of the high mortality of this rare anatomic anomaly in adults, we find the case of interest.
Vork
Jan Christensen
JC
Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Aarhus, Peter Sabroesgade 15, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark. janc@dadlnet.dk
Kristensen
Ingrid Bayer
IB
D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008467:Meckel Diverticulum / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D014839:Vomiting / Q000209:etiology