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Perforated Meckel’s Diverticulum as a Rare Cause of Pneumoperitoneum in a Post-pubescent Adolescent: A Case Report

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Meckel's diverticulum (MD) is known to cause surgical emergencies including intussusception, obstruction, and bleeding, but rarely results in perforation with pneumoperitoneum. Symptomatic MD is rare but most commonly presents in early childhood. We report a case of a 17-year-old male who presented with peritonitis and radiographic imaging demonstrating pneumoperitoneum and inflammation near the appendix and terminal ileum. Intraoperative findings revealed a perforated MD. A perforated MD may mimic a diagnosis of complicated appendicitis in the adolescent and adult population and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with pneumoperitoneum and an acute surgical abdomen.

Source: Cureus

DOI: 10.7759/cureus.70510

Authors: Fiona Beltran, Cornelia Griggs, Alyssa Stetson

Institutions: Tufts University, Massachusetts General Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Gastrointestinal disorders and treatments

Subfield: Surgery

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

OpenAlex ID: W4402986704