Radioisotope Detection of Meckel's Diverticulum Causing Acute Rectal Hemorrhage

Abstract

HEMORRHAGE from Meckel's diverticulum almost invariably arises from peptic ulceration of small-bowel mucosa adjacent to heterotopic gastric mucosa in the diverticulum.^{1 , 2} This gastric mucosa shares with the normally located gastric mucosa the capacity to secrete hydrochloric acid² as well as the capacity to concentrate the isotope 99mTc sodium pertechnetate.³ An abdominal scan after the administration of this isotope will show activity over the stomach. A scan may also demonstrate uptake over the area of the diverticulum and thus provide helpful preoperative information.In the following case a scan led to the correct preoperative diagnosis after conventional barium x-ray and selective . . .