Carcinoid Tumor in Accidental, Asymptomatic Meckel’s Diverticulum

Abstract

Although Meckel’s diverticulum is the most common congenital gastrointestinal disorder, it is controversial whether asymptomatic diverticula in adults should be respected. The authors report the case of a patient who was operated due to ileus caused by adhesions and a Meckel’s diverticulum without any sign of inflammation was accidentally noted and removed. As a surprise, the pathological examination of the diverticulum proved carcinoid tumor, a neuroendocrine malignant tumor. The case raises the importance of the removal of asymptomatic Meckel’s diverticulum.

Key words: Carcinoid tumor, ileus, Meckel’s diverticulum