In a Meckel's diverticulum, there is a persistence of the omphalomesenteric duct. The incidence is 2-3% of the population, which makes it the most common anomaly of the gastrointestinal tract. The majority of patients will be under the age of ten, with a male to female ratio of 3:1. It is normally located within the last 6 feet of ileum with 94% of cases on the antimesenteric border.
Rule of 2's...
(1) 2% of the population
(2) 2% of those with the diverticulum will become symptomatic
(3) symptomatic usually before age 2
(4) located within 2 feet of ileocecal valve
(5) length of 2 inches
Patients present with bleeding because of ectopic gastric mucosa, focal inflammation, perforation, or intussusception. Nuclear scintigraphy is most often used for imaging.