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

Thampi Rawther; Jack Cecire; Kevin Ooi

doi:10.18203/2349-2902.isj20230656

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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