$Unique_ID{BRK01442}
$Pretitle{Digestive System, Ill Defined Symptoms and Rare Diseases}
$Title{What Are the Symptoms of "Meckels" Condition?}
$Subject{Meckel's diverticulum origin}
$Volume{I-12, N-12}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


What Are the Symptoms of "Meckels" Condition?


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QUESTION:  Except for the fact that it is something like an appendix, we know
nothing about a condition called "Meckels".  Can you explain what a Meckels
is, and what the symptoms of the condition are and what treatment is advised?
Does the fact that one child may have this mean that his brothers and sisters
are also likely to have one.  Neither my husband nor I have ever been
suspected of this, and we are all quite confused.  Please provide us one of
your helpful answers.

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ANSWER:  Properly identified as a "Meckel's diverticulum", this condition
results when a tube called the "vitelline duct" fails to disappear during the
growth of a fetus.  In the early stages of fetal development, this tube
connects the primitive intestines to the embryonic yolk sac.  As other means
are established to provide nutrition to the fetus, this duct normally closes,
and then disappears.  When this process stops before the duct is fully
absorbed, a small portion of the tube may remain, forming a sac or
diverticulum.  This occurs in a about 2 percent of the population, is twice
more common in males than females, and leaves a diverticulum that is about 2
inches long.  There are two types of tissue most commonly found lining the
sac, gastric tissue (like the lining of the stomach) and pancreatic tissue
similar to that found in the pancreas gland.  The gastric tissue is by far the
most common and is the most important type of tissue from a practical point of
view since it may ulcerate just as the stomach lining can, causing pain,
hemorrhage and perforation.  The presence of the diverticulum may also create
a situation which leads to intestinal obstruction, which is seen in about 25
percent of adult patients, and is also most common in children.  The diagnosis
is difficult since symptoms can mimic many more common ailments, but a
technetium radionuclide scan can detect the presence of the gastric cells in
an abnormal position and is successful in making the diagnosis in about 80
percent of the cases.  Once the diverticulum is found, the treatment is
surgical, removing the unnecessary structure.  The presence of this in one
child has no relation to the possibility of its presence in your other
children as this is not considered to be an inherited condition.
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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
