The many faces of Meckel's diverticulum.

Meckel's diverticulum usually presents as a diagnostic problem. Its most common clinical manifestations--lower GI bleeding, small bowel obstruction, and features suggesting acute appendicitis--are fairly well known. Other clinical presentations include a Meckel's diverticulum in an omphalocele, lower GI bleeding followed by perforation, perforation secondary to blunt trauma, and presentation as iron deficiency anemia with and without episodes of overt hemorrhage. Illustrative cases emphasize indications for and usefulness of abdominal scanning as a diagnostic aid.