A patient aged 26 was investigated for recurrent severe gastrointestinal bleeding. Over a 4-year period, he was transfused more than 400 units of blood. Multiple investigations included three negative Meckel's scans. A right hemicolectomy for supposed angiodysplasia failed to control his bleeding. Wireless capsule endoscopy demonstrated the presence of a Meckel's diverticulum. At a repeat laparotomy, the ulcerated Meckel's diverticulum was identified and resected. The patient had no further bleeding and had a normal haemoglobin level on repeat blood tests up to 12 months after surgical excision of the diverticulum.
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P. Swain, M.D.
Endoscopy Unit, Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel
London E1 1BB · United Kingdom
Fax: + 44-207-377-7441
Email: PaulSwain1@compuserve.com
