Which of the following is used to detect mucosa in Meckel’s diveiculum: March 2011
💡 Explanation
## **Core Concept**
Meckel's diverticulum is a congenital diverticulum of the small intestine, resulting from the incomplete closure of the vitelline duct. It is a true diverticulum, containing all layers of the intestinal wall, and often contains ectopic gastric or pancreatic tissue. The presence of ectopic mucosa, particularly gastric mucosa, can lead to complications such as gastrointestinal bleeding.
## **Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The correct answer, **Tc-99m pertechnetate (Meckel's scan)**, is used to detect the presence of gastric mucosa in Meckel's diverticulum. This radiopharmaceutical accumulates in mucoid cells, including those found in gastric mucosa. Since ectopic gastric mucosa is commonly present in Meckel's diverticulum, this scan can help identify the diverticulum, especially in cases of gastrointestinal bleeding.
## **Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
- **Option A:** While **Barium studies** can show the anatomical structure of Meckel's diverticulum, they do not specifically identify the type of mucosa present.
- **Option B:** **CT scan** provides detailed images of the abdomen but does not specifically detect the type of mucosa in Meckel's diverticulum.
- **Option D:** **Endoscopy** allows direct visualization of the inside of the gastrointestinal tract but is not typically used to detect Meckel's diverticulum or its mucosa.
## **Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
A key clinical pearl is that **Meckel's scan** is particularly useful in children and young adults presenting with painless, lower gastrointestinal bleeding. The scan's sensitivity increases with the presence of gastric mucosa in the diverticulum.