Diverticulum ilei

Meckel diverticulum

A Meckel diverticulum is a congenital protrusion of the bowel wall found in the ileum, approximately 50-90 cm away from the junction of small and large bowel. Usually it is detected during appendectomy. It can mimic the symptoms of appendicitis. Ectopic gastric mucosa or pancreas cells are often found in the diverticulum. These cells can cause inflammation, bleeding or perforation. Sometimes a diverticulum leads to invagination of the bowel and subsequent bowel obstruction. (photos). A Meckel diverticulum is always removed, either laparoscopically or open.