Small bowel obstruction due to a persistent omphalomesenteric duct
Herman, M.; Gryspeerdt, S.; Kerckhove, D.; Matthijs, I.; Lefere, P.
Jbr-Btr Organe de la Societe Royale Belge de Radiologie 88(4): 175-177
2005
ISSN/ISBN: 0302-7430 PMID: 16176073 Document Number: 586415
We report a case of a Meckel diverticulum connected with the umbilicus through a fibrotic cord causing small bowel obstruction. On admission, the patient presented with an acute abdomen. A plain upright radiography of the abdomen, an ultrasonography of the abdomen, and an enema with gastrografin were performed, showing a small bowel obstruction at the level of the pre-terminal ileum, without revealing the cause. Urgent surgery followed, showing a persistent omphalomesenteric duct connected to the abdominal wall through a fibrotic cord, with a secondary volvulus of the small bowel. The remnant was resected and the volvulus reduced. The post-operative course was uneventful. Because of the serious complications and even possible mortality due to ischemic disease of the affected small bowel the possibility of a complicated persistent omphalomesenteric duct should be kept in mind, even if the preoperative work-up does not reveal a Meckel diverticulum.