Bleeding Meckel diverticulum responds to intravenous pantoprazole.(Letter to the editor)

Southern Medical Journal, March, 2007 by Dahshan, Ahmed

To the Editor: Meckel diverticulum (MD) is the most common developmental anomaly of the gastrointestinal tract, affecting 2% of the general population. Although it is often noted as an incidental finding during laparotomy, in 5% of cases it may present with serious complications such as massive bleeding, intussusception, obstruction and acute diverticulitis with risk of perforation. Painless rectal bleeding and melena are the most common complications. Half of Meckel diverticular cases may contain ectopic gastric or pancreatic mucosa. Although it has been reported in all age groups, it typically presents within the first two years and occurs twice as often in boys than girls.

A 9-year-old Native American boy presented initially with hematemesis followed by...

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