Meckel's diverticulitis in an elderly man diagnosed by computed tomography

Meckel's diverticulum is the most common congenital abnormality of the gast rointestinal tract. Complications most frequently arise in children younger than 2 years who present with gastrointestinal bleeding. The diagnosis is usually made via radionuclide scintigraphy or intraoperatively. The authors report a 71-year-old man who developed a sudden onset of right lower quadr ant abdominal pain, without bleeding, and was diagnosed as having Meckel's diverticulitis via computed tomography. The presence of Meckel's diverticul itis was confirmed at surgery. Complications of a Meckel's diverticulum mus t be considered at any age. Computed tomography is another modality that ma y be helpful in the preoperative diagnosis.