Final Diagnosis -- Carcinoid tumor arising in a Meckel's diverticulum (Peritonitis)

FINAL DIAGNOSIS:

ILEUM, SEGMENTAL RESECTION -

CARCINOID TUMOR ARISING IN A MECKEL'S DIVERTICULUM.

Notes:
• Meckel's diverticulum is one of the most common congenital anomalies of the gastrointestinal tract. Most Meckel's diverticuli demonstrate ectopic gastric mucosa. Additionally, one can see pancreatic or colonic mucosa. Symptoms can be related to rupture of the diverticulum, secretion of ectopic gastric or pancreatic hormones, or intussusception (with the diverticulum as the lead point).
• A 1992 review (1) lists 104 cases of carcinoid tumor arising in Meckel's diverticulum reported in the world literature. Most of these showed the tumor present in the tip of the diverticulum. The majority of patients are asymptomatic. A few become symptomatic from the diverticulum and/or the carcinoid tumor itself. Only ten of these cases developed the "carcinoid syndrome". Metastasis of the carcinoid tumor is related to size. Those tumors greater than 2.0 cm all had metastatic foci.

Contributed by Jeff Nine, M.D.

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