Severe obscure gastrointestinal bleeding from Meckel’s diverticulum with predominant ectopic pancreatic tissue

Abstract

Obscure gastrointestinal bleeding represents about 5% of all gastrointestinal haemorrhages which is characterized by continuous or recurrent bleeding from an undetermined source after an initial bidirectional endoscopy. Meckel’s diverticulum is a rare but recognized cause of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding. A carefully selected line of investigations is paramount to localize the causative lesion in obscure gastrointestinal bleeding which is a challenge in subacute cases. We present a case of 35-year-old female with thalassemia minor and mild anaemia presented with acute gastrointestinal bleeding from the ectopic pancreatic mucosa of an Meckel’s diverticulum where only a small focus of gastric tissue was identified histologically during the follow-up. This case discusses the rarity of this histological presentation of Meckel’s diverticulum as obscure gastrointestinal bleeding and the importance of intraoperative decision-making and intraoperative enteroscopy in cases of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding when other tests are negative.