A shrimply amazing tale: a rare case of a perforated Meckel’s diverticulum secondary to a prawn head

Authors

  • Thampi Rawther Department of Surgery, Coffs Harbour Base Hospital, Coffs Harbour, NSW, Australia
  • Jack Cecire Department of Surgery, Fairfield Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  • Kevin Ooi Department of Surgery, Fairfield Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2349-2902.isj20230656

Keywords:

General surgery, Foreign body, Perforation, Unique

Abstract

Majority of patients with a Meckels diverticulum remain asymptomatic. However, complications can occur in 4% of patient and tend to present with an acute surgical pathology commonly present with bleeding, obstruction, intussusception or neoplasm. Rarely, people present with a perforation of a Meckel’s secondary to a foreign body. This is an interesting case report of a patient presenting with a perforated Meckel’s secondary to a prawn head. Foreign body perforation of a Meckel’s is quite rare and should be suspected in patients with an acute abdomen, especially in patients with symptoms suggestive of appendicitis. A combination of history, examination and imaging can help narrow the diagnosis. However, a through examination of the small bowel must be performed, especially if the appendix appears normal, to look for a perforated Meckel’s.

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Published

2023-03-04

Issue

Section

Case Reports