The worldwide incidence of Meckel’s diverticulum in general population is approximately 2%. It may present with various complications but the incidence is even rarer. Spontaneous perforation of Meckel’s diverticulum is one of the dreaded and rare complication with high mortality. We hereby report a steroid induced perforation of Meckel’s diverticulum and its surgical management in adult male.

A thirty three year old gentleman presented to our casualty with pain abdomen and abdominal distension for three days. This was accompanied by low grade fever and constipation. He never had similar problems in past. He was diagnosed with psoriasis and was on methyl prednisolone 20 mg per day for last three months. He had no other associated complaints, co-morbid conditions, addictions or significant family history. 

General physical examination showed conscious, alert, co-operative male having mild pallor and fever of 101°F. He was having exfoliative erythematous skin lesions over most of his body parts which was diagnosed as psoriasis previously [Fig.1,2]. His pulse was 106/min, blood pressure 100/60 mm Hg, respiratory rate 18/min. Abdominal examination revealed generalized distension generalized tenderness along with rebound tenderness. Liver dullness was obliterated and free fluid was present.

After initial resuscitation, blood investigations were sent and imaging of abdomen were done. His blood reports showed leucocytosis. Erect X-ray abdomen [Fig.3] showed free gas under both domes of diaphragm and dilated small bowel loops. Contrast CT scan abdomen [Fig.4,5] was suggestive of distal ileal perforation. Thus, our provisional diagnosis was perforative peritonitis due to distal ileal perforation and patient was taken for emergency laparoscopy followed by exploratory laparotomy. 

Under general anaesthesia, initial diagnostic laparoscopy revealed flakes all over small bowel and a probable Meckel’s diverticular perforation. Abdominal exploration showed Meckel’s diverticulum with solitary perforation [Fig.6] near base and small bowel loops were dilated with flakes all around. Approximately 10 cm of ileal segment containing Meckel’s diverticulum was resected [Fig.7] and end-to-end ileo-ileal hand sewn anastomosis was done. The appendix was also removed to prevent future complications. After giving thorough peritoneal lavage abdomen was closed after keeping one drain tube in pelvis. The whole procedure was uneventful. He recovered well in post-operative period without any complications. He was discharged in a stable condition on day five. Before discharge dermatology opinion was taken and methotrexate tablet was started for psoriasis. The histopathology report was showing gastric metaplasia [Fig.8,9] and no evidence of dysplasia in the Meckel’s diverticulum  and  the appendix showed sub-mucosal inflammation. The patient was on regular follow up at our outpatient department and he is doing well.

Meckel’s diverticulum was first described in 1809 in an autopsy series by Johann Meckel, the German anatomist/embryologist [1]. Symptomatic presentation of Meckel’s diverticula is mostly seen in male pediatric population and include gastrointestinal haemorrhage, diverticulitis, obstruction, and perforation [3,4].  Perforation of Meckel’s diverticulum is one of the uncommon complications with high morbidity and  mortality, almost always preceded by diverticulitis [1-3]. The perforations can be  NSAID induced [5], fish or chicken bone impaction [6,7]. Steroid induced peptic perforation is a documented complications of long standing systemic steroid therapy [8,9]. Our patient was on oral prednisolone therapy for psoriasis 20 mg per day for last four months. This long duration steroid treatment stimulated the ectopic gastric mucosa in MD leading to excess acid production. The excess acid caused ulceration of adjacent intestinal mucosa which cannot tolerate low pH fluid. Ongoing ulceration process led to perforation of MD.  Based on these evidences we can say that in our patient the etiology of perforation was long standing prednisolone therapy. However, the role of steroid treatment in psoriasis is doubtful [10]. There was no history suggestive of diverticulitis or diverticular bleeding before coming to our hospital. But, presence of mucosal ulceration and site of perforation in diverticular mucosa is well demonstrated by histopathology slides. The long standing prednisolone therapy might have masked the clinical features of ongoing diverticulitis [11]. Thus long standing steroid therapy induced the perforation without producing the typical clinical features of diverticulitis [11,12]. 

Meckel’s diverticulum and its complications especially perforation can be an elusive diagnosis, particularly in the adult patient [8]. Very few cases of perforated Meckel’s diverticula in adults are diagnosed preoperatively by standard abdominal imaging studies such as CT scan and ultrasonography because of presence of air pockets, free fluids and bowel wall edema. Despite the previously mentioned modalities, most complicated Meckel’s diverticula are still identified at the time of abdominal exploration. The technetium-99m pertechnate scan, or Meckel’s scan, is generally regarded as the most accurate, non-invasive diagnostic technique [4,8]. However in emergency situations when a diagnosis of perforative peritonitis is well established one should go for diagnostic laparoscopy or exploratory laparotomy [12,13]. Our patient presented with features of diffuse peritonitis, dilated small bowel loops. Exploratory laparotomy identified MD perforation, histopathology revealed presence of ectopic gastric mucosa which had produced ulceration and perforation of adjacent intestinal mucosa of MD [Fig.8,9].

Perforation of MD itself is an uncommon complication and steroid induced perforation is even less documented. Detailed patient’s history, experienced clinician and expert radiological opinion are required for pre-operative diagnosis.

Contributors: All authors have contributed equally in case management, review of literature, manuscript preparation and correction. SD will act as guarantor. All authors approved the final version of the manuscript.

Funding: None; Competing interests: None stated.

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