Abstract

Meckel's diverticulum is one of the most common congenital anomalies, and its incidence is about 2% in the population. Most of the cases are asymptomatic and only 5% of cases are symptomatic with complications, including bleeding, intestinal obstruction, inflammation and perforation. Bleeding from a Meckel's diverticulum is usually painless and is sometimes massive. Recently, the use of double balloon enteroscopy has allowed improved access in patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding; however, a case of bleeding from a Meckel's diverticulum treated with double balloon enteroscopy hs rarely been reported. Double balloon enteroscopy can diagnose a Meckel's diverticulum without difficulty as the lesion is usually located at the distal ileum, and the method provides endoscopic hemostasis for the bleeding. Therefore, double balloon enteroscopy might be a useful diagnostic and therapeutic modality for bleeding from a Meckel's diverticulum. We experienced a case of bleeding from a Meckel's diverticulum that was detected and was treated by the use of double-balloon enteroscopy in a 47-year-old man with recurrent episodes of melena. (Korean J Gastrointest Endosc 2008;37:364-368)

• Keywords: Double balloon enteroscopy, Meckel's diverticulum, Bleeding